Listen to the article
Lieutenant Governor Beckwith Pushes for Criminalization of False AI Porn Claims Amid Ongoing Controversy
Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith is advocating for new legislation that would criminalize false accusations about artificial intelligence-generated pornography, following a scandal that engulfed his office last year. The lieutenant governor made his position clear in a 20-minute “Ask Micah Anything” social media video released Tuesday.
Beckwith expressed strong support for two bipartisan bills currently under consideration—House Bill 1182 and House Bill 1183—which aim to address the growing threat of AI-generated sexual imagery. These measures seek to close gaps in Indiana law that currently don’t adequately cover computer-generated sexual images not based on actual photographs.
“In the new age of AI and the digital creation era, we are going to see more and more of these problems exist, and we need to do everything we can as a state to get a handle on it very quickly,” Beckwith said in the video.
However, the lieutenant governor wants to expand the proposed legislation to include penalties for those who make what he describes as false accusations regarding such content. He directly referenced his own experience, claiming his office was unfairly targeted.
“My office was a victim of that,” Beckwith stated. “We were scrutinized, smeared. We were brought before all kinds of public media attention over lies that have no basis. There’s no proof that any of that ever happened in my office.”
The controversy stems from allegations made by Erin Sheridan, a former senior adviser to Beckwith who was fired in July 2025. Sheridan has publicly claimed she witnessed two of Beckwith’s aides viewing a digitally altered topless video of a state representative’s wife while in the lieutenant governor’s Statehouse offices.
When contacted by The Indiana Citizen on Wednesday, Sheridan firmly stood by her account, challenging Beckwith’s characterization of the events.
“There’s no denying what I saw,” Sheridan said. “He should pursue that legislation and try to press charges against me—then, at the very least, we might be able to get to the bottom of it.”
The situation has escalated beyond a war of words. A Marion County grand jury is currently investigating Beckwith’s office, with the AI pornography allegations forming part of the inquiry. Sheridan indicated she has not received updates regarding these proceedings, which Beckwith has referenced publicly.
Sheridan criticized the lieutenant governor’s public response to the allegations, describing his rhetoric as “arrogant” and “disgusting.” She accused him of attempting to discredit her rather than addressing the substance of her claims.
“He needs to be concerned about his own circle,” Sheridan added, suggesting Beckwith should focus on examining conduct within his office rather than deflecting blame.
The proposed bills that prompted Beckwith’s comments have yet to receive committee hearings in the Indiana legislature. The measures represent a growing recognition among lawmakers nationwide that existing legal frameworks are inadequate to address the rapidly evolving challenges posed by artificial intelligence technologies.
As AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, the creation of hyper-realistic “deepfake” pornography has emerged as a significant concern for legislators, law enforcement, and privacy advocates. Several states have already enacted laws criminalizing various aspects of AI-generated sexual content, particularly when created or distributed without consent.
Beckwith’s call to criminalize false accusations adds another dimension to the debate, raising questions about how such provisions might be implemented and their potential impact on those who report suspected violations.
The lieutenant governor has consistently denied Sheridan’s allegations, maintaining that no evidence exists to substantiate them and that no criminal wrongdoing occurred in his office.
As the investigation continues and lawmakers consider the proposed legislation, the controversy highlights the complex intersection of emerging technology, personal privacy, political accountability, and workplace conduct in Indiana’s highest offices.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
17 Comments
The lieutenant governor’s proposal to criminalize false accusations raises some red flags. While addressing AI-generated porn is important, penalizing whistleblowers could have a chilling effect on important discussions. A more nuanced, rights-preserving approach is needed.
I agree. Protecting victims is crucial, but we must be careful not to create a climate that discourages people from coming forward with legitimate concerns.
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. While AI-generated porn raises serious ethical and legal concerns, criminalizing false accusations could have unintended consequences. A thoughtful, balanced approach is needed to address this challenging problem.
I agree, it’s a delicate balance between protecting victims and preventing false claims. Policymakers will need to tread carefully to find an effective solution.
This is a complex issue with technological, legal, and ethical dimensions. I’m curious to see how the proposed legislation evolves and whether it can effectively address the rise of AI-generated porn without infringing on civil liberties.
The lieutenant governor’s proposed legislation raises some concerning questions. While addressing AI-generated porn is important, penalizing whistleblowers could have a chilling effect on important discussions. A more nuanced, rights-preserving approach is needed.
I agree. Protecting victims is crucial, but we must be careful not to create a climate that discourages people from coming forward with legitimate concerns.
The lieutenant governor’s push to criminalize false accusations seems concerning. While addressing AI-generated porn is important, penalizing whistleblowers could have a chilling effect and discourage important discussions. Nuance and caution are needed here.
That’s a valid point. Protecting victims while also preserving free speech and transparency is crucial. Striking the right balance will be challenging but necessary.
The lieutenant governor’s stance on criminalizing false accusations is concerning. While addressing AI-generated porn is important, penalizing whistleblowers could have a chilling effect on important discussions. A more nuanced approach is needed to balance protection and civil liberties.
I agree. Striking the right balance between protecting victims and preserving free speech will be crucial in developing effective and fair policies on this issue.
This is a challenging issue that requires a balanced, thoughtful response. While the lieutenant governor’s concerns about AI-generated porn are valid, criminalizing false accusations could have unintended consequences that undermine transparency and accountability.
This is a complex issue that highlights the need for careful policymaking. While the threat of AI-generated porn is real, criminalizing false accusations could have unintended consequences that undermine transparency and accountability.
The lieutenant governor’s stance on criminalizing false accusations seems heavy-handed. While the threat of AI-generated porn is real, penalizing whistleblowers could backfire and undermine efforts to address this problem. A more nuanced approach is needed.
I agree. Protecting victims is important, but we have to be careful not to create a climate of fear that discourages people from coming forward with legitimate concerns.
This is a challenging issue that requires a thoughtful, balanced response. While the lieutenant governor’s concerns about AI-generated porn are valid, criminalizing false accusations could have unintended consequences that undermine transparency and accountability.
This is a complex issue that highlights the need for carefully crafted policies. While the threat of AI-generated porn is real, criminalizing false accusations could have unintended consequences that undermine transparency and accountability. A thoughtful, balanced approach is needed.