MUNCIE — The City of Muncie and a Muncie nonprofit are making changes following the release of photos from a group chat showing men speaking sexually about local women.
On Sunday, a Muncie woman shared screenshots of a 2020 group chat between Mitch Isaacs and Jeff Robinson and other men.
The messages joke about trolling Delaware County Facebook groups for “desperate” women who have had their electricity shut off.
The messages also included photos of women in online meetings and make sexual comments about their looks.
Isaacs served as the executive director of Shafer Leadership Academy, a Muncie nonprofit aimed at growing leaders to “help them reach their full potential,” according to their website.
Robinson served as development director at Shafer Leadership Academy. Robinson also has a political past: city council member, council president, and a 2023 run for Muncie mayor
In a statement to Indiana’s I-Team, Shafer Leadership Academy Board President C.S. Hendershot said they are no longer with the nonprofit.
“The Board of Shafer Leadership Academy reviewed the communications that were made public and took formal action as a result of that review. The employment of the two Shafer staff members involved has ended.
Out of respect for individual personnel matters, we are not providing additional details regarding the circumstances of their employment separation.
The Board recognizes the seriousness of the communications, particularly where Shafer participants and programs were involved. We are continuing to review our policies and practices related to participant privacy, professional conduct, staff accountability, and the use of technology in our programs.
Shafer’s programs and day-to-day operations are continuing, and additional organizational updates will be shared publicly as appropriate.”
Bios for both Robinson and Isaacs are no longer active on the Shafer Academy website.
This week, Robinson posted a lengthy apology and said he had sought counseling. However, the post is no longer visible on Facebook.
The shared screenshots also include messages allegedly from Dustin Clark, a contract employee for the City of Muncie.
Indiana’s I-Team contacted the City of Muncie spokesperson Amber Greene.
“The City is in contract with Hoosier Municipal Operations, of which Dustin Clark is the owner,” said Greene in a statement. “This contract provides for grant writing and consulting services in addition to other various services as needed.”
The City’s contract with Hoosier Municipal Operations LLC has been placed on administrative hold while the matter is reviewed by the City’s legal team, according to Greene.
Indiana’s I-Team has been unable to reach Clark for comment.
“In regards to the messages circulating social media, the City understands the seriousness of this matter and takes seriously the concerns raised by members of our community. Because of the nature of the messages and the City’s responsibility to thoroughly review matters involving its contractors, the City’s contract with Hoosier Municipal Operations LLC has been placed on administrative hold while the matter is reviewed by the City’s legal team.”
The shared screenshots also include messages allegedly from Rob Keisling, external affairs manager at Indiana Michigan Power.
We have been unable to reach Keisling for comment, but his employer provided a statement.
“We are aware of the reports concerning a text exchange from six years ago. We believe it is important to consider the full context and facts before drawing conclusions or making judgments about an individual’s character or reputation. Because this is a personnel matter, we will not comment further on the specifics. “
