INDIANA— Gov. Eric Holcomb said Friday that the Holcomb administration won’t make any decision about pardoning a former Clark County Sheriff and a notable figure in the state Republican party who was sentenced to 15 years in prison after entering a plea deal in a corruption, theft, and fraud case.
“I would just repeat what I’ve said — that never once did he utter one unethical word to me in that friendship,” Holcomb said. “… it will be a question for a successor.”
Noel led Holcomb’s campaign in 2016 and was part of his transition team. He also served as chairman of Holcomb’s reelection bid and, before Holcomb, attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., on a personal invitation from former Gov. Mike Pence, who was Trump’s vice president.
But Holcomb, speaking during a virtual Zoom press conference from Slovakia, said that the pardoning process would require a review of the conviction and sentencing.
“Per Indiana code, there’s a pardoning process that has to unfold,” Holcomb said. “And so, in this case, from what I’ve read, this would be way after my term concluded.”
Holcomb is term-limited and will end his second term in January. Three candidates have won their respective party nominations and are vying to succeed him: Republican Mike Braun, Democrat Jennifer McCormick, and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.
