Warrick County Commissioners' legal issues 'orchestrated,' but they won't say by who

BOONVILLE, Ind. — The felony charges all three Warrick County Commissioners face are part of an "orchestrated" effort against them, according to commission attorney Andrew Skinner.

"These individuals have used our local media, judicial system, electoral system and even law enforcement to further personal agendas, settle old scores, tarnish reputations and attempt to achieve positions of authority," Skinner said.

But when the Courier & Press asked who the orchestrators were that were working against commissioners Terry Phillippe, Dan Saylor and Robert Johnson, Skinner wouldn't name names.

"I think that is fairly obvious by the complaints that have been made and the lawsuits that have been filed, and the interviews that have been given to media," Skinner said.

After prompting from a WFIE-NBC14 reporter asking if Skinner could elaborate, he said, "no."

The news conference was announced earlier this week, and was the first time in around eight months where commissioners and their legal representation in that capacity would address directly the accusations against them. Prior to statements, Skinner said they couldn't cover all subjects, but they would work to offer "facts over fake news."

Phillippe, Saylor and Johnson face charges of obstruction of justice, false informing and official misconduct. Phillippe also faces a perjury charge. They've all said they're innocent of the charges.

Warrick County Health Administrator Marlin Weisheit was also recently charged by the Indiana State Police with a charge of official misconduct, a Level 6 felony, and two misdemeanor counts of conversion based on accusations that he paid himself for work out of the wrong county fund.

Weisheit, along with his private attorney in that case, Anthony Long, were both part of the news conference Thursday.

Long took the opportunity, in part, to lay out his issues with the state police investigation.

"I don't quarrel with police. My whole philosophy practicing criminal defense law is not to tackle with police, unless they don't do their jobs. If you don't do your job, count on getting called on it," Long said. "In this case, this investigation has been incompetent."

Long has made these comments before, and ISP issued a statement in response last week.

"The Indiana State Police stands by the integrity of the investigation completed by Sergeant Brock Werne, a 17-year veteran who has represented countless victims of crimes and has sought to hold those responsible accountable for their criminal actions," the statement read. "There will be no further public comment on this matter while we allow the court system to adjudicate charges that were reviewed by both a special prosecutor and a Warrick County judge prior to being filed."

Long said he agreed the situation has been orchestrated, and that it all began when commissioners fired former Health Administrator Aaron Franz.

State police alleged Phillippe, Saylor and Johnson sought to fire Franz as retaliation after the public health official refused to carry out what he described as "unethical" and "illegal orders."

The three commissioners have publicly stated they fired Franz due to poor job performance.

Stacey Franz, Aaron's wife, filed to run for Commissioner Johnson's seat, Long said, calling it "interesting." Stacey Franz won her primary election with 56% of the vote.

"The bottom line is it was politically orchestrated," Long said.