Gary’s former Deputy Mayor Trent McCain announced Wednesday that he submitted a complaint and request for investigation against Gary Sanitary District Executive Director and state Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary.
McCain filed the complaint because of Hatcher’s dual employment, according to an announcement sent to the Post-Tribune.
“The constituents of House District 3 and the ratepayers of the Gary Sanitary District deserve public officials who are accountable to one office and one set of duties,” McCain said in a statement. “The Indiana Constitution was written precisely to prevent this kind of consolidation of governmental authority and public compensation in a single individual.”
In his complaint, McCain asked the Indiana House Ethics Committee to “fulfill its independent obligation” and address conduct that implicates a representative’s constitutional eligibility and ethical standing. McCain also asked Attorney General Todd Rokita to investigate the full timeline of Hatcher’s dual employment, issue a formal opinion on the presented constitutional questions, and “if the facts warrant,” initiate quo warranto proceedings.
Hatcher declined to comment on the complaint, as did Mayor Eddie Melton.
“Mayor Melton and his administration require highest standards of transparency and ethical governance across all city agencies,” a spokesman said in a statement provided to the Post-Tribune. “At this time, we prefer to allow the process to play out, and for the Legislature and the Attorney General to reach their respective determinations without any interference from the city. For that reason, we decline to provide any comment at this time.”
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office was also unable to immediately provide a comment.
McCain argues that the Indiana Constitution prohibits anyone from “holding more than one lucrative office at the same time.” The state constitution also prohibits someone “charged with legislative duties from simultaneously exercising executive functions.”
“Both provisions are implicated here — and the public record establishes that both have been violated,” McCain’s statement said.
According to Indiana’s Gateway portal, in 2025, Hatcher made $123,425.52 as GSD executive director. As a state representative, she made $78,912.54 in 2025.
McCain also claims that Hatcher received a legislative salary in 2024 as GSD’s director of strategic partnerships and internal compliance. He alleges that if those “two compensation streams overlapped” in 2024, the violation predates her executive director appointment by almost one year.
McCain also said in his statement that the Gateway database does not include a conflict of interest disclosure statement filed by Hatcher in 2024, 2025 or 2026.
“I am confident the facts will speak for themselves,” McCain said in his statement. “I will have no further comment while the complaints are under review.”
McCain’s brother, Todd McCain, in September 2024, filed a lawsuit in Hammond’s U.S. District Court against the GSD and Melton, alleging political retaliation when he was fired from a role in the department. Todd McCain asked for relief for lost wages, employment benefits and other compensation lost.
Other requests include compensatory and punitive damages, front pay, attorney and witness fees, expenses and other relief the court deems necessary.
Todd McCain claims the termination of his First Amendment rights, which protect his freedom of political expression and affiliation. He campaigned for former Mayor Jerome Prince, whom Melton defeated in the May 2023 Democratic primary.
Trent McCain served as deputy mayor during Prince’s administration.
According to online court records, McCain’s case is still ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for 11 a.m. May 19.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
