Indiana state Sen. Ron Alting is stepping down after allegedly shoplifting from several Walmart stores—and attributing the incidents to a decline in his cognitive health.
The Republican lawmaker was reportedly caught taking items from Walmart locations in Lafayette and Monticello, as well as a store in Naples, Florida, according to the Journal & Courier.
Alting, who represents portions of Tippecanoe and Carroll counties, announced his plan to resign Wednesday as scrutiny over the allegations intensified and doctors continued evaluating his brain health.
“Over the past several weeks, I have been undergoing extensive medical evaluation for concerning changes in my judgment, behavior and cognitive functioning,” Alting wrote in a Facebook post.
He said the evaluation has involved specialists in neurology, geriatrics and mental health, along with an MRI and other testing.
“That work is continuing as my doctors seek a definitive diagnosis,” Alting wrote.
Despite the theft allegations, Alting’s name will remain on the upcoming ballot.
Should he win re-election, the Indiana Republican Party will select his successor through the state’s vacancy process.
“I have great confidence that this process will produce an outstanding leader who will serve Senate District 22 and its people well,” Alting wrote.
“For nearly three decades, the people of Tippecanoe County have entrusted me with something very precious: the opportunity to represent them. I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude for that trust.”
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Indiana State Republican spokesperson Molly Swigart confirmed that Alting intends to leave the Senate after nearly 30 years in office.
“Sen. Alting has notified [Senate President] Sen. Bray of his intent to resign from the Senate should Sen. Alting be re-elected,” Swigart told IndyStar.
Alting has not been criminally charged. However, prosecutors in Elkhart County have been assigned to investigate multiple theft reports connected to the longtime lawmaker.
“I was shocked when everything developed the last two weeks,” Tracy Brown, chairman of the Tippecanoe County Republican Party, told the Courier & Journal, adding that he believed Alting’s resignation was probably inevitable.
“I understand the direction he is taking,” Brown said.
According to the outlet, Alting had $253,498 in his campaign account as of Oct. 16.
He would only need to continue filing periodic reports to retain access to the money, which experts say could ultimately be distributed to political allies.
“It could sit around there for years,” Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, told the publication.
Indiana law permits Alting to transfer funds from his campaign account to other candidates and nonprofit organizations without imposing a specific deadline.
“Former Sen. Evan Bayh still has an open candidate committee,” Vaughn said.
“The rules at the federal level are different, but they’re similar. You can just keep [these accounts] around for a really, really long time.”
