Straub In The Doghouse?

Public Safety Director Frank Straub has been telling local news media an internal affairs investigative report on IMPD's handling of the fatal DUI accident involving K-9 Officer David Bisard will be released today in its entirety. Fox59 News' Russ McQuaid is wondering if he bothered to discuss the report with Mayor Greg Ballard before making this announcement to the media. McQuaid tells WIBC's Steve Simpson this morning he tracked down Ballard as he was returning from another out-of-state trip to Texas. McQuaid said Ballard seemed surprised to learn the report would be released today as he had just been given a copy of the report earlier in the day and not had an opportunity to fully review it. McQuaid has said sources have told him the report finds no wrongdoing on the part of the police who investigated the case, no wrongdoing by the high-ranking police officers IMPD Chief Paul Ciesielski demoted in the aftermath of the incident and no evidence of a cover up. His sources tell him it will note Marion Co. Prosecutor Carl Brizzi's office failed to update them on a newly-enacted law that potentially made the manner in which the blood draw results from Officer Bisard were taken inadmissible in court.

UPDATE: Yeah, it looks like Straub is indeed in the dog house. McQuaid now says the release of the report may be delayed until Ballard has had a chance to more fully review it, particularly since he found some surprises in it. Fox59 News reports:

Public Safety Director Frank Straub left in a hurry from a south side church when Fox59's Russ McQuaid tried to ask him about what he told investigators about the actions he took and decisions he mad the day Bisard collided with a group of motorcyclists, killing Eric Wells.


Straub announced Monday the report was done and would be released "later this week," but apparently didn't tell Mayor Greg Ballard, who was out of the state on city business earlier this week.

Reporter Russ McQuaid also spoke to Mayor Ballard Tuesday evening. Ballard admitted he's been out of state on city business and is just getting his first look at the documents surrounding Bisard.

Members of the faith-based community tell Fox59 News they were advised by Dr. Straub last Friday that the report was done and ready for release. Mayor Ballard indicated that the report is not done.

“I’ve seen a draft of it,” said Ballard, noting that there were a couple surprises in there. “Its not final until I say its final.”

The mayor said he is asking for more detailed information that may be added while some information may be deleted at his direction. “We’ll see when its going to be announced.”

Still no word on whether the report will be released Wednesday afternoon or not.