Waltz Protective Order Tossed

In a complete reversal of fortune, an earlier protective order State Sen. Brent Waltz (R-Greenwood) obtained against his primary opponent, Mike Beeles, has been vacated by a Johnson Co. judge and a request for a permanent order denied. Waltz had claimed Beeles stalked him and trespassed on his property in an effort to prove that he didn't reside in his senate district. Not only did Judge Brian Williams toss the protective order, he essentially agreed with Beeles' contention that Waltz doesn't reside in the condominium Waltz claims as his residence. The Star's Jason Thomas writes, "Williams ruled that Beeles' photos 'depict a unit that appears uninhabited.'" Thomas continued, "Williams also ruled Waltz 'failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that (Beeles) followed (Waltz) at any time,' and that Beeles' actions do not constitute harassment as defined by Indiana law."

This is an embarrassing setback for Waltz on the eve of Tuesday's primary election. The ruling provides ammunition to Beeles' claim that Waltz doesn't live in the district and could lead one to argue that Waltz trumped up the claims in his original petition as a means of damaging Beeles' political credibility. Williams could potentially sue Waltz for abuse of process, given the considerable legal fees Beeles likely incurred in defending Waltz' claim, not to mention the emotional distress to which he has been subjected. Regardless of the outcome in this race tomorrow, you can bet this will not be the last you hear on this matter.

Hat tip to Frugal Hoosiers.