NASHVILLE — A former Brown County surveyor was arrested Wednesday following a months-long investigation into allegations of fraud, conflict of interest, and official misconduct, according to Indiana State Police.
David K. Harden, 70, was taken into custody and booked into the Brown County Jail. Investigators allege Harden, who served as county surveyor from 2022 through 2024, submitted invoices totaling more than $71,000 to the county auditor’s office through his private surveying company, RATEC LLC, doing business as Bennett & Associates.
Police said Harden was not a licensed surveyor and failed to file a legally required conflict of interest statement with the Brown County clerk’s office. The investigation began in March.
Harden faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Corrupt business influence, a Level 5 felony
- Three counts of official misconduct, Level 6 felonies
- Three counts of conflict of interest, Level 6 felonies
- Three counts of fraud involving losses between $750 and $50,000, Level 6 felonies
