TERRE HAUTE —
Brian Hasler, special assistant to Indiana State University’s president, was arrested Wednesday in Indianapolis for allegedly offering to pay an undercover police officer for sex acts, according to Marion County court documents.
Hasler, also a former state representative from Evansville, faces a class-A misdemeanor charge of patronizing a prostitute. He is scheduled to return to a Marion Superior Court Jan. 13.
Hasler is accused of offering to pay $160 for a massage and sex acts, after responding to an online ad that offered massages. He responded using his ISU email account, according to court documents.
At his request, Hasler is taking paid vacation time “to address his personal issues,” Tara Singer, ISU spokeswoman, said this afternoon. The university had no further comment, she said.
The undercover Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer received Hasler’s email response at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday. Hasler had emailed, “Still in Indy?” and “Available?”
Hasler also asked him if he was drug- and disease-free and HIV-free, and he also wanted a face picture. The two agreed on a price of $60 for the massage and $100 for the sex acts.
At one point, Hasler is reported to have emailed, “How soon can we meet?”
Police say the two met at 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Omni Severin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. After confirming Hasler’s identity, the male undercover officer identified himself as a police officer and arrested Hasler. While searching Hasler, the officer found exactly $160 in cash on him.
Hasler, who began his ISU job on July 21, 2008, is being paid an annual salary of $116,159.
He specializes in external relations, including as a liaison to the Indiana legislature, the Indiana congressional delegation and other local and state governmental officials, according to the ISU website. He is a 1980 ISU graduate. He also served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1996 to 2004, representing a portion of Evansville.
Hasler wrote a children’s book called “The Story of Sycamore Sam” about how Indiana State’s “Sycamore Sam” became the university mascot. He was scheduled to appear at the ISU bookstore from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday for an autograph session. That has been canceled.
He is a Terre Haute native and a 1976 Terre Haute South Vigo High School graduate.
Hasler could not immediately be reached for comment this afternoon.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
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