ST. JOSEPH COUNTY -- They're calling it a cycle of corruption.
The St. Joseph County Republican Party says enough is enough...local Democrats are in hot water.
They held a news conference Thursday encouraging the Democrats to "clean house" in light of recent scandals surrounding the party.
The County Republican Chair is directly referring to these three recent mishaps in the Democratic Party:
1. Penn township trustee Jeff Dean pleading guilty to charges of official misconduct and conflict of interest.
2. Criticism into how Mayor Pete Buttigieg has handled the wiretapping scandal at the South Bend police department.
3. And finally the ballot petition fraud case involving former Democratic Party Chair Butch Morgan.
Republicans say it’s time to hold their opposing party, accountable.
"No citizen of St. Joseph County should have to put up with this arrogant behavior," said Deb Fleming, the St. Joe County Republican Party.
Behavior the GOP is blaming on the St. Joseph County Democratic Party.
It's been one scandal after another.
"They have cultivated this corruption in their party," said Jake Teshka, Director of the Republican Party.
The Republican Party says the most recent issue with the Penn Township Trustee, Democrat Jeff Dean, has been a nightmare.
Despite his guilty plea last week, Dean refuses to step down from his position.
The GOP called a meeting on Thursday asking him to resign.
The Democrats are also on board.
"Almost every Democratic official has asked Jeff Dean to step down,” said State Senator and St. Joe County Democratic Party Chair, John Broden. “If I could get rid of him yesterday I would have but Indiana law doesn't permit me to do so but I will do whatever it takes to get him out of office."
Broden said sometimes elected officials think of themselves instead of their party.
He said this behavior isn't a representation of the entire party.
"Every once in a while there will be situations that arise that you wish wouldn't arise but in general when you look at it, we have outstanding candidates and officers," Broden said.
"Chairman Broden might say they're isolated incidents, the chairman of a party has the power to influence those decisions," Teshka said.
Broden said he's been vocal and cooperative with county and state investigations taking place regarding each scandal.
And said he's been as transparent as possible.
"I don't think there is a cycle of corruption," Broden said.
