Fired Justice Institute Director Says She Did Nothing Wrong

INDIANAPOLIS -- Days after being fired as director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Heather Bolejack denied doing anything wrong and said she should have been given a chance to address allegations against her top deputy.

The agency's board fired Bolejack last week over accusations that she improperly directed taxpayer money to a family friend and that an approval process for distributing federal grants was circumvented under her watch. The board alleged documents were altered to make it appear that the panel had approved the distribution of some grant money.

Bolejack's deputy, Katalina Gullans, also was fired on accusations that false records were filed for travel reimbursement.

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Video: Fired State Official Says She Did Nothing Wrong

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On Monday, Bolejack said she did not falsify any records, and she told radio station WTLC (1310 AM) that she never was told of the allegations against Gullans until Bolejack was suspended in late April.

"I have no problem being held accountable if one of my subordinates made a mistake, but I do not want to be blamed for having a hand in any altering of documents ... that are now in question," Bolejack, accompanied by her attorney, told reporters. "I did not, by my hand, do anything wrong at the agency."

Bolejack's attorney, Ginny Maxwell, said records will clear her client.

"The documents that exonerate my client exist. If I'd had them two weeks ago, none of this would have happened," Maxwell said.

Bolejack suggested that she was being set up by someone at the institute, which oversees state planning for criminal justice, traffic safety and victim services.

"Different people have different motives. Unfortunately, perhaps someone on the staff gave them something to be able to hang me out there for," Bolejack told reporters.

Regarding the allegations about improperly granting money to a firm run by a family friend, Bolejack said last week that she "would never ... knowingly and intentionally circumvent any process."