EVANSVILLE — In a stunning development, a state investigation into Warrick County’s tiny animal control department and a series of lawsuits have ensnared all three Warrick County Commissioners, who face charges of false informing and official misconduct.
Terry Phillippe, Dan Saylor and Robert Johnson were all arrested Thursday afternoon. The decision to formally charge the three Republicans came weeks after the Indiana State Police opened a criminal investigation into 55-year-old Danielle Barnes, who for years supervised Warrick County Animal Control in Boonville.
Phillippe also faces a perjury charge.
All three have since posted bail and have been released. They turned themselves in to the Warrick County Jail at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
In a news release sent around 4 p.m. Thursday, the commissioners said they were unaware of the “specific nature of the charges.”
“The Commissioners do not believe they did anything incorrectly during this investigation, and worked diligently to address problems at Animal Control,” commissioners attorney Anthony Long said. “They are anxious to review the probable cause affidavit and they look forward to having light shed on this situation. Terry Phillipe, Robert Johnson and Dan Saylor are dedicated public servants who work tirelessly to improve life for citizens in Warrick County, and we look forward to and expect their complete exoneration.”