04192014 - News Article - Shackles, high-profile raids highlight visual assault on region public corruption



Shackles, high-profile raids highlight visual assault on region public corruption
Marc Chase
NWI Times
April 19, 2014 





HAMMOND | The clanking of shackles around wrists and ankles of elected officials charged with public corruption sends a sensory message, whether intended by law enforcement or not.

A message also comes across with the massive billboard-sized FBI logo on the sides of an evidence truck parked outside a local government building being raided.

At least one region defense attorney contends -- and some federal agents agree -- authorities here are sending a more visual, public message these days in a crack-down on alleged public corruption and other offenses.

Criminal defense attorney Scott King took note last year when his client, former Lake County Surveyor George Van Til, was led into Hammond federal court -- shackled hand and foot -- for his initial appearance on public corruption charges.

At the time, King said it was the first time he could remember seeing a client accused of nonviolent offenses marched into court in chains.

But it wouldn't be the last.

King also is representing Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist and the mayor's wife on charges of stealing from campaign and city food pantry funds, among other accusations. On Thursday, the U.S. Marshals Service led Soderquist, his wife and stepdaughter, who also face charges, into Hammond federal court with the defendants clad in wrist and ankle chains.

King said he vehemently disagrees with the practice of shackling defendants charged with nonviolent crimes before they've been convicted of doing anything wrong.

He said he went on record with the complaint last year, sending a formal letter of protest to Northern District of Indiana U.S. Chief Judge Philip Simon.

Simon was unavailable for comment Friday.

The U.S. Marshals Service, the agency providing federal courtroom security, would not comment on any security measures or decisions, agency spokeswoman Pamela Mozdzierz said.

But to King, the shackling practice is a visual splash that presumes guilt of nonviolent offenders before they've been tried or convicted.

"Historically, in cases of people accused of nonviolent offenses, you didn't see this practice," King said.

"It's a visual act that I don't think is justified by any real security threat. They're bringing people into the courtroom in chains at a stage where they're presumed innocent."

In the case of Van Til, he ultimately pleaded guilty to charges of using county government resources to further his campaign and then directing the destruction of evidence to cover it up.

But Van Til, who is free on bond awaiting sentencing in his case, had not yet been convicted in May 2013 when he entered a federal courtroom with shackled wrists and ankles that also were connected to a chain around his waist.

King acknowledged that since Van Til's initial appearance, he is seeing more use of shackles for all defendants during initial appearances on criminal charges in Hammond federal court.

Though the U.S. Marshals Service declined to comment on the practice of shackling inmates, another federal agency's office admits a concerted effort to become more publicly visible in some of its operations.

Last month, the 600 block of Connecticut Street in Gary was closed down, and a large white truck with a prominent FBI logo was parked outside the Calumet Township trustee's office.

FBI and IRS had closed down the office and were seen carrying boxes and at least one computer out of the trustee's facility while serving a federal search warrant.

Throughout the morning, and in spite of an intermittent cold rain, a few people living in the nearby neighborhood came out to gawk at the truck and snap its picture in front of Trustee Mary Elgin's place of business.

Though no charges or reason behind the raid have yet been made public, the FBI made no secret it was there.

And according to a local FBI supervisory agent, that's partly by design.

"We are going to be visible and active, because part of our success is our visibility in the community -- like when our personnel are actively engaged in investigations, collecting evidence and serving subpoenas," said Bob Ramsey, supervisory agent for the FBI's Merrillville office.

"It's a good indication we are out there working hard and protecting the public's interests. "There haven't been any directives specifically from Indianapolis. Just our mindset up here is that there is work to do, and we are going to be aggressive."

Ramsey acknowledged crime deterrence is one of several reasons for the agency's high-profile look.
Times Staff Writer Bill Dolan contributed to this report.



04092014 - News Article - FBI looking at 2013 County Expo Center payroll info



FBI looking at 2013 County Expo Center payroll info
Chesterton Tribune
April 09, 2014
http://chestertontribune.com/Porter%20County/fbi_looking_at_2013_county_expo.htm

The FBI is still actively conducting its investigation of Porter County government and appears to be interested in last year’s payroll information for the Porter County Expo Center.

County Auditor Robert Wichlinski confirmed this morning that an agent came to his office at about 1 p.m. Tuesday to obtain the Expo Center’s payroll records from 2013.

The agent did not indicate why he wanted to see the information and did not take anything else, Wichlinski said.

Wichlinski told the Chesterton Tribune that the agent also inquired about what records, claims and “a laundry list of other documents” in the auditor’s office were available to the public and if there was any information that would require a subpoena.

Wichlinksi said he told the agent that all the information in his office is public.

According to Wichlinski, this is the first time an agent with the FBI has come to him for information.

Since November, numerous County offices have reported visits by FBI agents collecting information.

In March, agents collected copies of building permits for Porter Regional Hospital and its adjoining medical center from the Porter County Plan Commission. They also downloaded records from the Plan Commission office from the County’s computer server in the IT office.


In addition to the hospital building permits, the bureau so far has taken documents related to the December 2012 contract between the County Commissioners and Porter Hospital for clinical services in the County’s Employee Health Plan, conflict of interest disclosure statements filed in the County Clerk’s office from 2007 to 2013, and project bid proposals related to 2010 and 2011 contracts with the County Highway Department.

04082014 - News Article - FBI visits Porter County auditor's office



FBI visits Porter County auditor's office
NWI Times
April 08, 2014 

VALPARAISO | FBI agents made yet another visit to Porter County government offices, stopping Tuesday at the auditor's office.

Porter County Auditor Bob Wichlinski confirmed one agent was at his office about 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Wichlinski said the agent requested and was given payroll records involving the Porter County Expo Center.

Wichlinski said the agent was also asking about a long list of other records to determine whether they are public information.

FBI agents have visited county government several times since last year, visiting numerous departments including information technologies, plan commission, highway, clerk of the courts and the county's insurance servicing agent.

04042014 - News Article - Biggs and Yelton vie for GOP nomination to County Council to represent Duneland - Nominees views on current county FBI investigations



Biggs and Yelton vie for GOP nomination to County Council to represent Duneland
Chesterton Tribune
April 04, 2014

Porter County Councilman Jim Biggs faces a challenge from Kyle Yelton in the race for the 1st District County Council seat in the upcoming Republican primary election.

Biggs is running for a second term on the Council while Yelton is a newcomer to County politics. 

Election Day is Tuesday, May 6, and early voting begins on Tuesday, April 8. 

Council District 1 includes all precincts in Liberty, Jackson, Pine, and Westchester Townships with the exception of a portion of Westchester 17. It also contains Portage Twp. precincts 4 and 6 and Center Twp. precincts 11 and 25.

Only residents living in those precincts may vote in the District 1 race.

The Chesterton Tribune invited both candidates to respond to a questionnaire. 

The Tribune set word limits for each question and reserved the right to cut off any response in excess of the limit....

#8. The FBI has requested and received documents from a variety of county departments. What are your thoughts about the FBI’s interest in county government? (100 words)

Biggs: The FBI’s webpage states; “It’s our top priority among criminal investigations--and for good reason. Public corruption poses a fundamental threat to our national security and way of life. It impacts everything from how well our borders are secured and our neighborhoods protected to verdicts handed down in courts to the quality of our roads, schools, and other government services. And it takes a significant toll on our pocketbooks, wasting billions in tax dollars every year.” My thoughts are that all county officials should support any effort to insure that the public’s trust in our county government is protected - without exception.

Yelton: To my knowledge, the FBI has requested documents and records that are readily available to the public. Examination of public records by anyone, whether it is a governmental organization or just a citizen, should be welcomed. Porter County has a proud history of open and ethical government, and we should not rush to judgment until the review is completed. But, these types of inquiries do challenge the public perception of government. I applaud the Commissioners’ decision to strengthen the public trust in County government by joining the Shared Ethics Commission, and will actively participate in the Commission’s training programs.

08132023 - News Article - Former Portage Mayor James Snyder asks US Supreme Court to consider his case

  Former Portage Mayor James Snyder asks US Supreme Court to consider his case Chicago Tribune  Aug 13, 2023 https://www.chicagotribune.com/...