Indiana State Rep. Phillip Hinkle has
been accused of exposing himself to a young man, Kameryn Gibson.
Hinkle co-authored the bill that
created the state's “In God We Trust” license plate and earlier
this year he voted in favor of an amendment that would
constitutionally ban the state from recognizing with either marriage
or civil unions the relationships of gay and lesbian couples.
Gibson
told the The Indianapolis Star that Hinkle responded to
his Craigslist.com ad looking for a “sugga daddy” and offered him
$80 plus a “healthy” tip for “a really good time” at a
downtown Indianapolis hotel room.
Gibson said he met the lawmaker, but
decided against going further after he learned Hinkle was a state
representative. He said Hinkle, 64, attempted to keep him in the
room and exposed himself to Gibson, 18.
In one email, Hinkle described himself:
“I am an in shape married professional, 5'8”, fit 170 lbs, and
love getting and staying naked.”
And in a text message from his
Blackberry, he suggested Gibson should spend the night: “If u want
to consider spending the nigh u might tell ur sis so she won't worry.
Would have u back before 11 tomorrow. No extra cash just free
breakfast and maybe late night snack.”
Gibson alleges that he got cold feet at
the hotel room after he learned that Hinkel was a politician, but the
lawmaker, who had driven the teen to the hotel, insisted he could not
leave. Gibson called his sister Megan Gibson to come pick him up
from the restroom. She threatened to call the police on Hinkle and
ultimately called his wife and told her what had transpired. Megan
Gibson claims she and her brother were offered $10,000 to keep the
matter private.
The only comment Hinkle made to the
paper was: “I am aware of a shakedown taking place.”