Vigo Co. Jail scandal doesn't end with Hawkins' case

Lucy Perry Photos

Ewing

Vigo County Sheriff Greg Ewing has been outspoken about desperately needing a new jail, which could cost $50 million or more. Ewing recently hosted a public forum to discuss costs of overcrowding and housing inmates in surrounding counties because of the outdated current facility. 

​According to  Indianapolis attorney, Michael Sutherlin, the problems at the facility run far deeper than bricks and mortar. 

One of Sutherlin's clients, Kim Hawkins, can walk away with a clear conscience that he spoke up against the alleged immoral and brutal actions behind the jail walls he claims to have witnessed in the past. Meanwhile, the former jail commander's settlement of $60,000  is just a small amount in hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal and medical costs the county must continue to pay as lawsuits are filed, with one local lawyer caught in the crossfire of mounting costs.

Mitchell Barnes, 42,  filed suit in 2013 after a former Jail Officer, Brian Dawson, allegedly placed the former inmate in a chokehold while he was incarcerated in 2012. Barnes won a Federal Judgement of $225,000 in October 2015. ​

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Wright

Sutherlin now notes there is possible malpractice action by Dawson -- who left his position at the Vigo County Jail April 14, 2015 --  against attorney for the county, Michael Wright, for failing to enter an appearance in the case.

Wright also allegedly failed to notify the county's insurance carrier of pending litigation, as necessary.

"The insurance carrier has dropped Vigo County and is contesting coverage for the reason that Mr. [Michael] Wright failed to inform the company of the pending litigation or the default judgment," Sutherlin said.

In fact, in documents filed with U.S. DIstrict Court, Southern Indiana last just month, U.S. Specialty Insurance Company alleges breach of contract against Dawson and Vigo County for violating the company's notice provision.

Wright has not responded to requests for information at this time.

Brian Dawson was also accused of causing former inmate Michael James, 53,  to have a concussion and seizures when he slammed him to the concrete floor in 2013.  He was paid $150,000 by the county in April 2015, according to court documents.

Here is a glimpse at other cases that have been settled or are currently tied up in courts against Sheriff Greg Ewing and the Vigo County Jail:

• ​Jakob Smith v. Former Vigo County Jail Officer Brian Dawson, filed in March. Smith, 19, also alleges the officer choked him while in custody.
• Megan Nelson v. Jail Officer Casey Hayne. Nelson alleges she was slammed to the floor resulting in serious injury by Hayne when she was being booked in to the jail in March 2015.
• The related Nelson case against the arresting Terre Haute Police Department Officer Jesse Chambers will still go to trial, Sutherlin said. Nelson,31, alleges Chambers beat her with his nightstick.
• Dylan Sinn, 31,  filed a Federal lawsuit for alleged abuse by several jail officers in 2011, the case was  reportedly settled for an undisclosed amount in 2015.

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