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Messer's wife averages 26.5-hour work week for Fishers

Posted at 7:22 AM, Jun 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-21 07:32:59-04

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The wife of a likely Senate candidate averages a 26.5-hour work week in her $240,000-a-year job doing legal consulting for an Indianapolis suburb.

That's according to timesheets reviewed by The Associated Press for Jennifer Messer, the wife of Republican Rep. Luke Messer.

Many government contract attorneys are paid by the hour or project. But Jennifer Messer receives the same $20,000 monthly check from Fishers regardless of how much she works.

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In May, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness responded to the initial story, defending her by saying she gets less than $200 per hour for her work, which is less than a city would pay a firm for the same projects.

GiaQuinta, a prominent Indiana tax litigator, says it's difficult to know if Fishers is getting a good deal without an independent review of her work.

“She is responsible for drafting and negotiating a majority of the economic deals that are conducted on behalf of the city,” Fadness said.

MORE | Fishers mayor responds to AP story about city paying Congressman Messer's wife $20K per year

Legal experts say the part-time arrangement doesn't appear to break any rules. But Mark GiaQuinta, a prominent Indiana tax litigator, says it's difficult to know if Fishers is getting a good deal without an independent review of her work.

Jennifer Messer's contract with the city dates back to 2015.