Keith Graves Faces Assault Allegations in Indianapolis

Indianapolis City-County Councilor Keith Graves faces assault allegations from a former romantic partner who went public in July 2025, accusing the District 9 Democrat of physical and sexual abuse during and after their 2020–2022 relationship. Graves, 59, denies the allegations. He stepped down as chair of the council’s Education Committee on July 11, 2025, but no criminal charges have been filed and he remains a sitting councilor.¹²

What the Accuser Alleges

Laurin Embry, a 29-year-old social worker and Democratic campaign volunteer, told the IndyStar and WISH-TV’s I-Team 8 that Graves abused her during and after a relationship that ran from 2020 to 2022.³²

Embry described incidents in which Graves allegedly grabbed her neck, applied pressure, and threatened her. She also said that after she was released from a 72-hour suicide watch hospitalization, Graves arrived uninvited at her apartment and attempted to force himself on her. According to Embry, he frequently knocked on her door at night, sometimes every other day, and reacted with hostility when she did not answer late-night calls.²

Embry said she did not file police reports when the incidents allegedly occurred, citing fear of retribution. As of July 2025, she was discussing with her attorney whether to do so. She also told reporters she was not asking Graves to resign from the council.³²

A Separate Protective Order in 2024

Mirror Indy reported that a second, unnamed woman who had been in a relationship with Graves filed an order of protection against him in 2024, and the outlet obtained a copy. No criminal charges followed, and Graves told WISH-TV the protective order was eventually dropped.³²

What Graves Says

Graves has denied every allegation. In a public statement, he said, “I have never acted in a way that jeopardized anyone’s safety, comfort, or dignity. I unequivocally deny the false and hurtful claims that are now being shared.” He described the relationship with Embry as consensual and called the abuse allegations “alarming and false.”³²

He also pointed to the absence of criminal charges, telling WISH-TV, “While I regret that there is a story from a past relationship that I am not proud of, no criminal charges were filed.” Graves insisted his situation should not be lumped in with the sexual harassment controversy around Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration, calling the circumstances “entirely unrelated.”²

What the Council Has Done

On July 11, 2025, Council President Vop Osili announced that Graves had stepped down as chair of the Education Committee “as the details of this matter continue to unfold.” Carlos Perkins, the District 6 councilor, was later named the new chair.¹⁴

Osili said the council “does not have the authority to investigate individuals or personal matters — including those involving councilors — unless they pertain to financial, legislative or conflict-of-interest issues.” No formal ethics complaint, censure motion, or disciplinary proceeding has been initiated against Graves. Democratic Majority Leader Maggie Lewis said she was “committed to confirming” the validity of the allegations, adding that if information emerged affecting the caucus’s integrity, the party was “dedicated to taking all necessary actions to do what is right.”¹

Graves continues to represent District 9, which covers the Devington and Arlington Woods neighborhoods and parts of the far east side.⁵⁶

The Wider Context at the City-County Building

The Graves allegations surfaced during a run of misconduct scandals among Indianapolis Democrats. Beginning in 2024, multiple women accused Thomas Cook, Hogsett’s former chief of staff, of sexual harassment; an HR review reportedly recommended Cook be fired, but he remained employed for 68 days afterward.⁷ Former city employees described a broader culture of intimidation inside the administration.⁸

In late July 2025, an 18-year-old woman filed a police report in Fishers alleging that City-County Councilor Nick Roberts, 24, groped her on a date. Roberts denied the allegations, and the Fishers Police Department closed the investigation without filing charges.⁹¹⁰ Councilors Jesse Brown, Crista Carlino, Andy Nielsen, and Republican Josh Bain all called on Hogsett to resign; Carlino later left the Democratic caucus. Hogsett said he had no intention of resigning.¹¹

1
WFYI. Indy Councilor Steps Down as Education Chair Amid Assault Allegations
2
WISH-TV. Councilor Graves Sexual Abuse Allegations
3
Mirror Indy. Keith Graves Indianapolis Democrat Eastside Councilor Assault Allegations
4
City of Indianapolis. Education Committee
5
You Are Current. Meet Keith Graves, District 9 Indianapolis City-County Councilor
6
City of Indianapolis. City-County Council Members
7
WISH-TV. Hogsett Administration Faces Harassment Claims
8
Mirror Indy. Indianapolis City Hall Toxic Work Environment
9
IndyStar. Indianapolis City-County Councilor Nick Roberts Accused of Sexual Misconduct
10
WIBC. Councilor Roberts Cleared in Police Investigation
11
Mirror Indy. Crista Carlino Joe Hogsett Resignation Indianapolis Harassment Investigation