(Indianapolis, IN) - A man removed from the Starke County Council for allegedly spewing hatred has lost his latest appeal.

 

In 2019, the Starke County Council voted to remove Thomas DeCola from the county's governing body and financial wing. He was accused of expressing hatred for African Americans and Jewish people and claimed they were not safe in Starke County.

 

DeCola's comments were allegedly made at a meeting of county government officials across Indiana downstate, but the council soon learned about the remarks. As a result, the Starke County Council ruled DeCola violated his oath to serve all citizens impartially.

 

According to courtroom filings, DeCola claimed he was wrongfully removed from the governing body. In its decision, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled his arguments were difficult to understand and lacked thorough explanation. DeCola represented himself in the case.

 

DeCola, a Republican, defeated Democrat Karen Tibbs in 2018 by a 998-914 margin. 

 

Read the decision here.