Johnny Vaughn Unveils Initial Policy Proposals to Modernize the Vigo County Prosecutor's Office
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Democratic candidate for Vigo County Prosecutor Johnny Vaughn today announced the first in a series of policy proposals aimed at improving the efficiency, accountability, and effectiveness of the Prosecutor's Office.
"I am running for Prosecutor because I love Vigo County, and I believe we can do better," Vaughn said. "The Prosecutor's Office has one mission: protecting our community, supporting victims, and pursuing justice. That requires leadership, accountability, and a commitment to continually improving how the office serves the people of Vigo County."
Vaughn's initial proposals include:
A Full-Time Prosecutor
Vigo County is one of only six counties in Indiana with a part-time elected prosecutor.
Vaughn believes the Prosecutor's Office deserves a leader whose only professional responsibility is serving Vigo County. He has pledged to serve as a full-time prosecutor, focused exclusively on leading the office, supporting victims, working with law enforcement, and keeping the community safe.
Evidence Submission and Tracking
To reduce delays and improve accountability, Vaughn will implement an evidence submission and tracking system to ensure forensic evidence is submitted, monitored, and completed as early as possible.
Administrative staff will maintain a centralized tracking system and routinely follow up on outstanding laboratory requests, allowing prosecutors to focus on preparing cases, meeting with victims, and trying cases. Vaughn said the policy will improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary trial continuances, and help move cases through the justice system more quickly.
More Deputy Prosecutors, Not More Trial Deputies
Vaughn also proposes restructuring the Prosecutor's Office by eliminating unnecessary layers of management and investing those resources in additional full-time deputy prosecutors.
Rather than relying on a system where one prosecutor prepares a case and another prosecutor handles the jury trial, Vaughn believes deputy prosecutors should be empowered to handle their own cases from filing through trial. He said this approach promotes greater ownership, stronger case preparation, improved communication with victims, and greater accountability.
By investing in more full-time deputy prosecutors, Vaughn believes the office can reduce caseloads, resolve cases more quickly, and ensure taxpayer dollars are directed where they have the greatest impact: prosecuting crime, serving victims, and protecting the people of Vigo County.
"These are just the first of many ideas I'll be sharing throughout this campaign," Vaughn said. "Vigo County deserves more than promises. It deserves a plan. My goal is to build a Prosecutor's Office that is efficient, accountable, victim-focused, and fully committed to keeping our community safe."
White Collar Crime Unit
Vaughn proposes establishing a White Collar Crime Unit dedicated to investigating and prosecuting complex financial crimes that harm workers, labor unions, honest businesses, and the citizens of Vigo County.
The unit will focus on construction fraud, tax fraud, payroll fraud, wage theft, workers' compensation fraud, insurance fraud, embezzlement, public corruption, contractor fraud, and other financial crimes.
A key priority of the unit will be protecting labor unions and their members from contractors who gain an unfair advantage through fraud, tax evasion, payroll violations, and other illegal business practices. The unit will also aggressively pursue financial crimes that target consumers, seniors, businesses, and taxpayers.
"Financial crimes can steal a family's savings, undercut honest contractors, and threaten the livelihoods of hardworking men and women. As Prosecutor, I'll ensure those who commit fraud are investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable."