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Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s office is under investigation by a grand jury in Marion County for potential wrongdoing over an artificial intelligence-generated pornography video and alleged ghost employment.
A report from the Marion County Grand Jury dated Oct. 3 states the body met twice—on Aug. 18 and Sept. 30—to review evidence in an “original investigation into the distribution of an intimate image(s) and ghost employment in the office of the Indiana Lieutenant Governor.”
As of Tuesday, there have been no charges filed against anyone in Beckwith’s office related to the investigation, according to a spokesman for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
Representatives from Beckwith’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The grand jury report is the first document confirming a criminal investigation into activities in Beckwith’s office. Rep. Chris Haggard, R-Mooresville, has said in an interview that he has been questioned by Marion County prosecutors in connection to an AI-porn video of his wife which was allegedly shared by members of Beckwith’s office staff.
Beckwith has previously denied the claim, telling reporters his office “found no evidence that a video was ever produced or viewed by anyone internally.”
The outlet 24sightNews was the first to report allegations that an AI-generated video of Haggard’s wife topless at a charity event circulated in Beckwith’s office in April.
The Indiana Legislature passed a law last year that makes it a misdemeanor offense to make or distribute nonconsensual pornographic content of someone using AI, often called “revenge porn.”
The report does not list what evidence the grand jury heard or if anyone from Beckwith’s office testified.
The grand jury report also reveals prosecutors are investigating Beckwith’s office for possible ghost employment, which is a felony.
Generally speaking, ghost employment is when a state employee engages in, or directs subordinates to engage in, work outside their official duties during working hours. It’s unclear what aspect of Beckwith’s office is being investigated for ghost employment.
The grand jury report does not indicate if or when the body will meet again to review the investigation into Beckwith’s office.
In a statement released Tuesday, Beckwith’s office said “Active grand juries are confidential; therefore, the office has no knowledge of any of this.”
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