GREENDALE, Ind. — A councilman in Greendale, Ind., was arrested on Friday for multiple felony theft-related charges after a three-month investigation, according to a release from the Indiana State Police.
Brett A. Hamilton, 46, was suspected of stealing thousands of dollars from the Dillsboro Civic Club, of which he was president.
The investigation began in July 2025 and was led by ISP Detective Tim Denby of the Special Investigations Section. Det. Denby discovered that Hamilton allegedly stole from the Dillsboro Civic Club's funds and used the money for personal gain between 2018 and 2025.
The Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office reviewed the case and decided to file charges against Hamilton. On Friday, an arrest warrant was issued for felony charges of Theft, Fraud, Money Laundering, Corrupt Business Influence and Official Misconduct.
Hamilton was arrested in Lawrenceburg Friday afternoon and is being held in the Dearborn County Jail pending his first court appearance.
"I feel bad for everybody. It's a bad look for Greendale and this is not what we're about," said Greendale Mayor Vince Karsteter while speaking to WCPO.
"As a councilperson he always put the interest of Greendale residents first," Karsteter said.
Karsteter said that Hamilton had no access to Greendale's funds.
"In my mind this is a Dillsboro civic club problem, not a Greendale problem," Karsteter said.
According to Karsteter, there is no ordinance requiring Hamilton to resign at this time.
