State Rep. Phillip Hinkle, an Indiana Republican who was accused of offering a young man money in exchange “for a really good time,” will not resign but says he won’t seek re-election next term.
Despite calls for his resignation, Hinkle said Tuesday that he would serve the remainder of his term. “As for 2012, we, as a family, decided back in December after the 2010 election, that I would not be seeking another term,” he said in a statement.
Earlier this month, the Indianapolis Star obtained a series of e-mails between Hinkle and 18-year old Kameryn Gibson, sent via Craigslist, in the m4m (men for men) section of “Casual Encounters.”
“Cannot be a long time sugar daddy,” says one e-mail response from what is allegedly Hinkle’s address, “but can for tonight. Would you be interested in keeping me company for a while tonight?” In the e-mails, Hinkle allegedly offers $80 for “a couple hours of your time tonight” plus a tip “for a really good time.”
Gibson also claims that when he arrived at the hotel, Hinkle exposed himself and tried to prevent Gibson from leaving when he recognized Hinkle as a lawmaker. Hinkle then tried to buy his silence, and the silence of Gibson’s sister, who had come to pick him up when the encounter went, er, south. More details here.
Hinkle denied these allegations in a statement. “While I must admit to mistakes of judgment, I am seeking professional help on what turned me down a road of self-destruction,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Republican Speaker of the House called for his resignation in light of the scandal. “We have a lot of compassion for Phil and his family,” Speaker Brian Bosma said, according to the Indianapolis Star. “But the right thing for him to do is to step down, and he needs to do it. It is absolutely the right thing for him and his family, and it’s the right thing for the institution.”
When asked about Hinkle’s decision later, Bosma said: “I really don’t know how he does that.”
Hinkle recently voted for an amendment to the state’s constitution that would define marriage as between a man and a woman.
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