A member of the Indianapolis City-County Council is under investigation following a groping allegation.
,On July 29, 2025, Mirror Indy published an article reporting that Nick Roberts, a 24-year-old freshman councilor representing District 4, has been accused of unwanted sexual contact by an 18-year-old woman. The woman filed a police report with the Fishers Police Department alleging that Roberts groped her during a second date earlier this month.
According to the woman’s account, she and Roberts met on a dating app and went on two dates. On the second date, July 12, they were walking on the Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers when Roberts allegedly took her down a side path, kissed her, and then groped her breasts and buttocks while restraining her. She reported that she pushed against him, and only after a passerby approached was she able to break free. The woman said she left the encounter distressed and filed a police report shortly thereafter.
Roberts denied the allegations, stating that the physical contact consisted only of a brief kiss and momentary hand placement on her hips—both of which he believed were consensual. He said he had no indication she was uncomfortable at the time. Roberts also raised concerns about political motivations, suggesting that the woman’s stepmother might hold opposing views. The woman denied that politics played any role in her decision to come forward.
See video of Robert’s Response here.
As of this writing, no charges have been filed. The Fishers Police Department confirmed the existence of a report and said the matter remains under investigation. They declined to provide additional details while the investigation is ongoing.
The woman’s identity has not been made public, in accordance with Mirror Indy’s editorial policy regarding survivors of alleged sexual assault.
Roberts, elected in 2023, is one of the youngest members ever to serve on the Indianapolis City-County Council and the first from Generation Z. He represents the city’s northeast side, including the Castleton and Geist areas. Since joining the council in January 2024, he has served on several committees, including Administration and Finance, Environmental Sustainability, and Community Affairs.
The allegation comes at a time when the City-County Council and Mayor’s Office are already facing public criticism related to workplace misconduct and harassment. Earlier this year, Councilor Keith Graves stepped down from his position as chair of the Education Committee after allegations of sexual and physical abuse surfaced. At the same time, the city has been reviewing its handling of prior misconduct complaints against former mayoral Chief of Staff Thomas Cook, whose exit from City Hall involved nondisclosure agreements and an external investigation.
Roberts himself had previously called for stronger accountability measures in response to the Thomas Cook situation. In June, he publicly supported proposals to establish an independent reporting system for harassment complaints involving elected officials, including city councilors.
In the wake of this most recent allegation, public pressure may mount on council leadership to address how misconduct claims are handled internally. As of July 29, Council President Vop Osili and Majority Leader Maggie Lewis had not issued public statements regarding the situation involving Roberts.
The Indianapolis City-County Council does not currently have a formal disciplinary process for addressing personal conduct allegations involving members outside of criminal convictions or formal ethics proceedings. Any internal response to the situation may depend on the outcome of the Fishers Police investigation.
The woman told Mirror Indy she came forward in hopes of raising awareness and helping prevent similar situations in the future. “I want this to be a warning to other women,” she said.
