City will terminate contract with Banjo Inc, Goshen officials say

GOSHEN, Ind.— After learning new information about the past activities of Banjo, Inc. CEO Damien Patton, Goshen’s mayor and police chief have announced they are terminating their contract with the startup.

Officials said in a press release that the new information was learned after the March 9 Board of Works and Safety approval of the agreement between the real-time surveillance app and the Goshen Police Department. 

Goshen city officials did not specify what the new information was that brought them to their decision but multiple media reports have recently accused Patton of once being involved in a white supremacist group. 

Mayor Jeremy Stutsman shared the following statement on Tuesday.

“In light of the new information that has surfaced and that has been provided to me, I have concluded that the personal history of the co-founder and CEO of Banjo, Inc. goes against the core beliefs of Goshen. Goshen is an inclusive and accepting community and we do not support any hate groups, or the actions of such groups or actions of past or current members. The Indiana Attorney General’s Office recruited the Goshen Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to participate in a trial program with Banjo, Inc. Because the Attorney General’s Office, through the Indiana Drug Enforcement Association, funded this trial program, the Goshen Police Department relied on their support of Banjo, Inc. at the state level. The information we now have in front of us has been shocking and Goshen will be terminating its contract with Banjo immediately.” 

Goshen’s Chief of Police Jose’ Miller released the following statement on Tuesday.

“In addition to the Mayor’s reply, to date the Goshen Police Department has not implemented any services provided by, or associated with, Banjo Inc. The Grant Agreement with the Indiana Drug Enforcement Association along with the Banjo Master Services Agreement was presented to the Board of Public Works and Safety on March 9th 2020 for approval. Goshen Police Department was informed on this date, the contract for the services of Banjo Inc. have not been finalized at the state level.”