ISU official nabbed in hooker sting

An ISU official is on paid vacation leave at his own request after being arrested Wednesday for patronizing a prostitute.

Brian K. Hasler, the special assistant to the president for external relations, was arrested in Indianapolis by an undercover officer who placed an online ad for massages.

"At his request, Brian Hasler is currently taking paid vacation time to address personal issues," said Tara Singer, assistant vice president for ISU's Communications and Marketing.  "The university has no further comment at this time."

According to an Indianapolis Metropolitan probable cause affidavit, Hasler replied to the online ad using his university email account. The affidavit states Hasler began the conversation asking "still in Indy?" and "available?"

After the undercover officer responded with another question asking "what you needing," Hasler stated that he wanted a "massage or more," according to the affidavit.

Messages continued between Hasler and the undercover officer until Hasler agreed to meet the officer and pay him $160 in exchange for sexual acts, according to the affidavit.

Hasler met the officer at the Omni Hotel where he was informed that he was speaking to a police officer. The officer walked Hasler to the downtown district IMPD office where he was placed under arrest, according to the affidavit.

Hasler is scheduled to appear in the Indianapolis Superior Court on Jan. 13 at 1:30, said Tammie Peters, IMPD Public Relations Representative.

Hasler's responsibilities at ISU have ranged from acting as the university's legislative lobbyist to writing a children's book about Sycamore Sam.

President Daniel J. Bradley appointed Hasler as a special assistant for external relations in 2008. Hasler had represented the Evansville area in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1996 to 2004, according to his biography posted on the ISU website. Before entering public office, he was an aide to former U.S. Reps. Lee Hamilton of Indiana, Bill Patman of Texas and Frank McCloskey of Indiana.

In his role in Bradley's cabinet, Hasler serves as a liaison to members of the state legislator and other governmental agencies, according to his biography. He also presents university requests for state operating and capital funding.

Hasler also works as the university's main liaison with Indiana's Congressional delegation and Terre Haute city officials.

He is the author of "The Story of Sycamore Sam," an illustrated children's book about ISU's mascot published by the ISU Alumni Association this fall. Hasler was scheduled to sign copies of the book Friday at ISU's Barnes&Noble Bookstore, but that event has been cancelled, said Dave Taylor, media relations director for ISU Communications and Marketing.

Hasler is a native of Terre Haute and a 1980 ISU alumnus. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and children.

He works from Indianapolis and the president and provost's office at ISU. University officials could not confirm if Hasler was on campus when news of his arrest broke midday Thursday.