Holcomb picks corrections chief with controversial past

Incoming Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed a man with a controversial history in Indiana government to lead the state's prison system.

Rob Carter is leaving his job as safety and security director for Ivy Tech Community College to become commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction under Holcomb. With more than 5,900 employees, it is the state's largest department.

But Carter's last stint leading a state agency ended three years ago with revelations of raunchy emails and the resignation of Ivy Tech's one-time board chairman. An inspector general's investigation cleared Carter of any wrongdoing, but ethics advocates say his behavior raises serious questions about his judgment and his willingness to bend the rules.

Holcomb touted Carter's record in an email statement announcing his appointment.

“Rob has served Hoosiers as a sheriff, a valued member of the Ivy Tech staff, and the head of Indiana's Department of Natural Resources," Holcomb said. "His unique experiences and capabilities give me every confidence that he will serve Indiana well in this role."

IndyStar reached out to Carter through Holcomb's transition team, but did not hear back. Salary information for his new job wasn't immediately available.

During his time at Ivy Tech, Carter created behavior intervention teams to track "red flags" in student and staff behavior. He also standardized health and safety training throughout the community college system, led active shooter training efforts, introduced a mass notification system and established building security standards. He is currently paid $127,645 a year.​

Carter led the Indiana Department of Natural Resources under then-Gov. Mitch Daniels from 2006 to 2013. For most of that time, Holcomb was a top aide to Daniels.

An IndyStar investigation in 2013 revealed that during his time at DNR, Carter received and sometimes responded enthusiastically to several racy, sexist and inappropriate emails — including photos of naked women — sent by Bruce Walkup, who was then chairman of Ivy Tech’s board.

In one instance, Walkup sent Carter an email titled “Educational Opportunities for Women.” It included a list of classes for women taught by men. Among them: “Which takes more energy — putting the toilet seat down or (complaining) about it for 3 hours?” and “Is it possible to drive past Wal-Mart without shopping?” and “Health Watch — They make medicine for PMS — Use it!”

Carter responded with a joke of his own.

Another email from Walkup to Carter contained a picture under the caption “McDonald’s Fires Back.” The picture shows the fast-food chain’s golden arches with a lettered sign underneath that reads: “Saying your kids are fat because of us is like saying it’s Hooters’ fault your husband likes big (breasts).”

Carter replied: “Haha! Love it!”

In one email, a photo shows an elk touching its genitals with its antlers.

“I’d never leave the house,” Carter responded.

The IndyStar investigation also found that prior to landing the $120,000 job as Ivy Tech's security chief, Carter arranged a hunting trip for Walkup at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area without going through normal channels.

Walkup resigned after IndyStar's report and the Indiana Inspector General's office launched an investigation.

That investigation concluded that Carter broke no rules. While Carter and Walkup did communicate about Carter's future employment, there was no evidence of a quid pro quo, the report said. The report also determined that the emails didn't violate state policy and that there weren't enough to run afoul of state rules forbidding excessive personal use of state computers.

And although Carter skipped a lottery required of other hunters on a public land in September 2012, no rules were violated because all hunters who had gone through proper channels were allowed to hunt, the investigation found. In effect, Carter’s hunting party didn’t cut in line.

Despite those findings, government accountability advocates say they are surprised Holcomb decided to appoint Carter to oversee the corrections department.

Carter's record is "certainly checkered," said Julia Vaughn, policy director for Common Cause Indiana.

“Mr. Carter’s documented past behavior in state government calls into question his judgment regarding ethics and appropriate on-the-job behavior," Vaughn said. "It’s disappointing that his past behavior didn’t disqualify him for a position in the new administration. Department of Corrections is a big agency. "

“Perhaps politics matter more than someone’s documented behavior," she continued.

But Holcomb said in an emailed statement that he stands by the appointment.

"Rob Carter has the kind of experience we need at the Department of Corrections," he said. "He will be an asset to my administration."

Call IndyStar reporter Chelsea Schneider at (317) 444-6077. Follow her on Twitter: @indystarchelsea.

Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter: @indystartony.