An investigation into Warrick County’s Animal Control agency has led to the arrest of all three Warrick County Commissioners.
In a remarkable development, Indiana State Police arrested Commissioners Terry Phillippe, Dan Saylor, and Robert Johnson on charges including Official Misconduct and False Informing.
Phillippe also faces a charge of Perjury.
The ISP says after the arrest of Warrick Animal Control Supervisor Danielle Barnes in December, the commissioners said they had no knowledge of Barnes’ non-profit organization, Warrick Animal Guardian – known as WAG -- or any documents concerning it.
But the investigation revealed the commissioners had approved a donation of a trailer from WAG to Animal Control.
Barnes and two other people face charges in an alleged pet adoption scheme -- among other offenses -- at Warrick Animal Control.
The ISP says its investigation also looked at last summer’s closing of a swimming pool and several restaurants that failed health inspections.
Warrick County Commissioners are accused of instructing the health department to reopen the pool and restaurants despite the health violations, because the owners of the pool and restaurants were friends and business associates.
The health department ignored the orders and commissioners later terminated the health department’s supervisor.
The three commissioners, all Republicans, posted bond after their arrests Thursday.