Denise Paul-Hatch

Denise Paul Hatch, former Center Township Constable in Marion County, Indiana, was removed from office following a series of criminal charges and a felony conviction. In 2023, Hatch pleaded guilty to official misconduct and unlawful carrying of a handgun related to working security in her uniform while having a pending felony case, as well as disorderly conduct stemming from a confrontation at a government office. She was sentenced to 288 days of time served. Hatch maintains her innocence, claiming the plea was coerced under duress, and is currently pursuing post-conviction relief to vacate the conviction. Additional allegations throughout her tenure included the theft of broccoli from a grocery store, interference with a court-ordered eviction, and attempting to assist a deputy constable who had been detained by police. While Hatch’s office faced multiple investigations regarding these incidents, she was not convicted of all initial accusations, and she asserts these events were part of a coordinated effort to undermine her. There are no other publicly reported scandals, bribery, or fraud allegations beyond these legal proceedings.