Mayor considering resignation

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Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman is considering resignation from office after information surfaced this week about his mishandling of Jay County Democratic Party finances in his role as party clerk-treasurer.

“I had to resign as the clerk-treasurer of the Democratic Party,” Geesaman said. “I’m looking at all my options of what’s the best thing to do as the mayor …

“There is no question … on city finances or anything I was involved in here at the City of Portland.”

Geesaman, who served as the party’s clerk-treasurer for “the last four or five years” and was re-elected to that post in early March, said the issues came to light Monday night at a meeting between party officials.

“They had questions and I wanted to explain,” Geesaman said. “That’s why I called the meeting to explain to them.”

Geesaman resigned his role as clerk-treasurer that night. He said Thursday that in his role as clerk-treasurer of the county party he lost donor checks and forgot to pay bills on behalf of the party.

“There’s some discrepancies that I’ve already made restitution on,” Geesaman said.

He would not specify the amount of money involved in the discrepancies or how much he paid in restitution to the county party.

Party chair Randy Mann said he was not able to comment on the details of the matter.

“All I can say is the Jay County Democratic Party is under an audit,” Mann said. “Until the audit is done I can’t say no more.”

The internal audit is being conducted by Indiana Democratic Party District 3 chairwoman and Churubusco clerk-treasurer Madalyn Sade-Bartl.

However, the revelations of Geesaman’s financial failings could trigger a state audit of Portland’s finances, which Geesaman has been involved with since he was appointed city clerk-treasurer in 2009. Indiana State Board of Accounts examiner Paul Joyce said his office will consider a series of factors while making a decision to audit the city.

“Knowing what transpired in Portland, with the Jay County Democratic Party, I know we may take a look at the city’s finances,” Joyce said.

Joyce said the office has not yet decided to conduct an audit, but will examine the allegations against Geesaman and determine if the city’s finances need to be reviewed.

Geesaman began working for the City of Portland in 2009, after 33 years in sales, when he was appointed clerk-treasurer. He went on to defeat Bruce Hosier, the two-term incumbent Republican, in the 2011 mayoral race. In 2015, Geesaman won re-election with a victory over then-Republican Party chairman Milo Miller Jr., 810-375.

When asked if he plans to resign, Geesaman said he is considering his options while also assessing the damage to the public’s trust. He added that he is getting pressure from the county Democratic Party to step aside.

He said he will announce his decision Tuesday.

“I’m going to evaluate the whole situation over the weekend, but I will make final decisions by the beginning of next week,” Geesaman said. “I’m very disappointed in myself that I knew that responsibility was very important but I just didn’t take it serious.

“It’s weighing heavily on my heart. I want to be candid and direct … I just don’t like to have any doubts into the integrity of Randy Geesaman, but that is definitely called into question.”