Commissioner sues other county leaders

CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A former Carroll County Commissioner is suing the county officials who forfeited his job last week. Ron Slavens found out on News 18 that his commissioner position was declared vacant because of a lack of residency.

In a special meeting last week, the county council declared the office of Commissioner for District 1, the seat held by Slavens since 2010, as vacant.

Council Attorney Abigail Diener told News 18 that Indiana code states if a commissioner no longer resides in the district, then he or she forfeits the office. She said the council was informed the Central Committee of the Carroll County Republican Party had conducted an investigation and Slavens had forfeited his office.
    
Slavens filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Carroll County suing both the county council and the Republican committee. He said his removal from elected office was without basis because he's lived at the same address in Idaville since 1978.

He asked the judge for an injunction so that the District 1 seat is not filled by someone else. He also wants the judge to determine that he meets the District 1 residency requirements. He requested the judge to award him financial compensation for what has happened, as well as an award of punitive damages.
 
Slavens declined to make a comment Tuesday night.