10312018 - News Article - Dozens of Porter County voters asked to recast ballots after poll worker oversight

Dozens of Porter County voters asked to recast ballots after poll worker oversight
Chicago Tribune
October 31, 2018
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-porter-unsigned-ballots-st-1101-story.html

The 122 voters who cast ballots between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the North County Government Complex in Portage are being asked to do so again during early voting after their ballots didn’t receive the necessary initials from two poll workers at the early voting site.

During an explosive Porter County Election Board meeting Wednesday, J.J. Stankiewicz, the board’s lone Democrat, offered a resolution that would have given those voters the opportunity to skip coming back in and have their ballots count as provisional, to be counted when results are certified 10 days after Election Day.

“They’ve already been approved once. This is as redundant as all get-out,” Stankiewicz said.

The motion died for a lack of a second.

Kathy Kozuszek, the Democratic director in the county’s voter registration office, said she was made aware of the problem, caused by two poll workers working as fill-ins, Saturday morning. She told the workers to separate those ballots and quarantine them and consulted with an attorney with the election division of the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office.

The election board held an emergency meeting Monday morning to determine how to move forward and decided to reach out to as many of the voters as possible to come back and vote again.

About 30 people attended the meeting, which devolved into shouting at times, including several elected officials and candidates on the ballot. Many of them displayed open displeasure with the board’s decision and offered comments or questions.

“This is a terrible disenfranchisement of voters,” said Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy.

Kozuszek and Victoria Gresham, vice chair of the county’s Republican Party and the Republican representative in the clerk’s office, contacted as many of the voters as they could but could not reach several of them because they lacked the proper contact information.

Kozuszek said she reached five voters who were willing to come back in.

“They’re very disillusioned about it,” she said.

Clerk Karen Martin, a Republican member of the board along with board president David Bengs, asked whether there was a problem previously with ballots not being initialed. Her office is handling the election for the first time this year after it was removed from the control of the Voter Registration Office in early March.

“I’ve never seen a ballot that didn’t have both initials on it,” Kozuszek said.

Board attorney Lowe said he thought a disservice was being done to voters if they weren’t called back in, and using a provisional ballot increased the ability under state law to determine the ballot was invalid.

“The easiest correction is to have them come back in during early voting and cast their other ballot aside,” he said, noting state statute requires initials from a poll worker from each party.

“That is a threat. It’s the government that screwed up, not the voter,” Stankiewicz responded.

Early voting continues place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday in Suite 102A of the Porter County Administration Building, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso; the meeting room of Chesterton Town Hall, 726 Broadway; the rotunda of the North County Government Complex, 3560 Willowcreek Road, Portage; Union Township Volunteer Fire Station 2, 267 N. County Road 600 West, Valparaiso; and the Hebron Community Center, 611 N. Main St.

Early voting also takes place at the same times and places on Saturday. Early voting concludes at all locations at noon Monday.

10312018 - VIDEO - Porter County Election Board meeting

VIDEO - 10312018  Porter County Election Board meeting   
NWI Times
October 31, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFjllg9gd4Q#action=share

See for yourself the vitriol and finger pointing at a recent Porter County Election Board meeting that Times Editor Marc Chase referenced in his Sunday column. The meeting came just days before what would become a disorganized collapse in processes of the Nov. 6 general election. The Times has obtained a copy of the meeting, which can be found at this link.

10302018 - News Article - Porter County assessor pleads guilty to federal tax charge

Porter County assessor pleads guilty to federal tax charge
NWI Times - Steve Garrison
Kokomo Perspective
October 30, 2018
http://kokomoperspective.com/politics/indiana/porter-county-assessor-pleads-guilty-to-federal-tax-charge/article_51900084-f903-52bd-81a1-be69f87240ca.html

HAMMOND — Porter County Assessor Jon M. Snyder pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor tax charge in U.S. District Court, clearing the way for his cooperation with federal officials prosecuting his brother, Portage Mayor James Snyder, in an unrelated corruption case.

Jon Snyder, 42, was read and waived his trial rights before admitting his private company, Shoreline Appraisals Inc., failed to file a tax form informing the IRS he paid $6,000 to an independent contractor in 2013 to provide his company services.

The assessor was required under federal law to file an Informational Return 1099 Form by Feb. 28, 2014, informing the IRS he hired the independent contractor and how much the contractor was paid.

"Guilty, your honor," Jon Snyder told Magistrate Judge John E. Martin, when asked how he pleaded to willful failure to supply information to the IRS. 

Snyder said he had a college degree and suffered no mental illness or addiction, which would impair his ability to understand Tuesday's proceeding. The assessor said he was born in Charleston, West Virginia.

Jon Snyder was arraigned Oct. 19 on the misdemeanor charge. Under the terms of a plea agreement filed later that day, he agreed to “cooperate fully, truthfully and candidly” with the U.S. attorney's office in unspecified criminal investigations.

Matthew Fech, defense attorney for Jon Snyder, previously confirmed his client was a cooperating witness against James Snyder, who is awaiting trial on felony bribery and extortion charges related to Portage towing vendors and public works contracts, as well as tax evasion charges related to his private business.

Fech said Tuesday Jon Snyder accepted responsibility for his actions as it related to his private business. Fech said Snyder's offense was unrelated to his work as Porter County assessor, and his client had no plans to resign from office.

Fech said, personally, he hoped any elected official that committed criminal acts while in office would accept responsibility for their actions.

Snyder is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 27, though he agreed the U.S. attorney could defer his sentencing hearing until his cooperation is complete.

Willful failure to supply information to the IRS carries a maximum sentence of one-year incarceration and a fine of $100,000. The government agreed it would recommend the judge sentence Snyder to the minimum allowed under federal guidelines, though the judge is not required to follow the recommendation.

Prosecutors also agreed Snyder would face no further criminal tax charges for the 2008 through 2013 tax years.

10302018 - News Article - Porter County assessor pleads guilty for failing to file tax form

Porter County assessor pleads guilty for failing to file tax form
Chicago Tribune
October 30, 2018
https://www.chicagotribune.com/search/dispatcher.front?Query=jon+snyder&target=all&spell=on

The Porter County assessor pleaded guilty Tuesday for failing to file a tax form related to his personal business.

Jon Snyder, 42, pleaded guilty Oct. 24 to failing to supply information to the IRS, a misdemeanor charge. Magistrate Judge John Martin on Tuesday walked Snyder through a plea agreement filed the same day he was charged in federal court, and asked how he pleaded to the charge.

“Guilty, your honor,” Snyder said.

The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail, according to court documents, and up to a $100,000 fine.

Snyder, as owner of Shoreline Appraisals Inc., allegedly failed to give the IRS an “Informational Return 1099 Form, which is a requirement for non-employees who received more than $600 in payments during a calendar year,” according to court documents.

Snyder and Shoreline Appraisals allegedly failed to file the document for “Person A,” who was paid more than $5,000 in 2013, according to court documents.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson said a contractor would file a 1099 Form with the IRS, and the form Snyder failed to submit is a business’ side of that filing. Benson said the IRS uses those forms to track what is paid to non-employees.

“That burden would have fallen on Mr. Jon Snyder as he was the owner of the business,” Benson said.

Martin asked if Snyder agreed with Benson’s account.

“I do, your honor,” Snyder said.

Snyder’s attorney, Matthew Fech, said that Snyder does not intend to resign from office, and the charges do not have any bearing on his capacity as county assessor.

10252018 - News Article - Candidate Harper says Porter County election isn't running smoothly

Candidate Harper says Porter County election isn't running smoothly
NWI Times
October 25, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/candidate-harper-says-porter-county-election-isn-t-running-smoothly/article_86b3fe6b-dd61-52c5-81a6-6b44fdf3970d.html

VALPARAISO — Porter County hasn’t been handling the election well this fall, said Secretary of State candidate Jim Harper, a Democrat from Valparaiso.

Porter County Clerk Karen Martin, a Republican, denied the allegations. The county clerk is the top local election official.

The secretary of state is Indiana’s top election official, Harper noted. Martin is running for county auditor after serving the maximum eight consecutive years as county clerk.

Harper said his campaign and others have talked to “numerous voters across the county” who haven’t received absentee ballots on a timely basis.

“When you receive an application for an absentee ballot, state law requires that the ballot be sent out the day that it is received,” Harper said Wednesday during a news conference on the steps of the Porter County Administration Center.

“We have talked to voters who waited 10, 15, 20 days,” he said.

Martin said the county is up to date in sending them; she was sending ballots received the previous day when contacted for comment.

It takes seven or more days to receive mail when it’s routed through south suburban Illinois for processing, she said.

Harper said he is urging Hoosiers to vote early if they are concerned about not getting absentee ballots in time.

Monday is the deadline for the county clerk’s office to receive applications for absentee ballots.

Until the primary election, Kathy Kozuszek, Democratic director of the Porter County voter registration office, had been involved in running election as well as registering voters for the past 18 years. The clerk’s office, which now runs elections in the county, is "severely understaffed,” she said.

Council President Andy Bozak, R-1st, said the council is prepared to ensure the election goes smoothly.

“The council is all hands on deck for everything we have to do,” he said.

Portage City Councilwoman Sue Lynch, D-At-Large, asked about how to help shut-ins vote. Lynch said she tried calling the county to arrange for the traveling board to visit her friend in the hospital, but she got transferred in a circle before giving up.

Kozuszek suggested she go to the courthouse right away to find someone who would talk to her and set up a visit.

County Councilwoman Sylvia Graham, D-At-Large, said her granddaughter at Indiana University wanted to vote absentee but didn’t get a returned phone call. Graham said she likely would pick up her granddaughter and bring her back to Porter County to vote early.

Kozuszek said she has heard from numerous people who say they want to vote absentee but haven’t had phone calls returned.

“I’ve begged with them, pleaded with them, to get out and vote early,” she said.

“If we lose one vote, it’s one vote too many,” Kozuszek said.

Storing ballots
“We have also heard reports of ballots just being stored haphazardly,” Harper said.

Ballots already cast must be secured by two locks with two keys, for the Republican and Democratic appointees to the Election Board.

That’s being done, Martin said, but Election Board members have to sign each time they pick up and return the key.

Poll workers
Harper also said many poll workers still haven’t received assignments for Election Day.

Barbara DeLeon, of Chesterton, said Tuesday she has been an election judge for six years and is fully trained, but still hasn’t been assigned.

“Why are they not calling me since I’ve been a judge for years and I know the whole procedure?” she asked.

Martin said the Republicans and Democratic chairmen are supposed to recommend poll workers. A total of 246 are needed from each party, she said.

The Democratic Party chairman, however, provided only 49 recommendations, Martin said.

Each precinct requires five poll workers. Reducing that number would require the unanimous consent of the county Election Board.

10242018 - News Article - Complaints about Porter County absentee ballots are focus of secretary of state candidate's press conference

Complaints about Porter County absentee ballots are focus of secretary of state candidate's press conference
Chicago Tribune
October 24, 2018
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-porter-jim-harper-st-1025-story.html

Twila Sier said her husband went to the Porter County Clerk’s Office about two weeks ago to get forms to request absentee ballots for the both of them since she will be undergoing surgery in Chicago on Election Day.

As instructed, he turned the forms in the next day so they could get their absentee ballots.

“We still have nothing and it’s been almost two weeks,” said Sier, of Valparaiso, adding she and her husband opted to vote at the Porter County Administration Building, an early voting site, on Tuesday rather than wait for their ballots to come in the mail.

On Wednesday, Sier stood with Democrat Jim Harper, who’s running for Indiana Secretary of State, outside the Porter County Administration Building as he outlined concerns brought to his attention about early voting and the electoral process in Porter County.

Those include allegations that voters are not receiving absentee ballots in a timely fashion; absentee ballots have not been stored properly with two locks; and some poll workers still waiting on their Election Day assignments less than two weeks before the Nov. 6 election.

“I’m hearing numerous credible reports about issues of election administration here in Porter County,” said Harper, of Valparaiso, adding the secretary of state is the chief election officer of the state. “There’s no greater responsibility than casting a ballot and every election being fair.”

Harper, who said he has received about 10 calls about how elections in the county are being handled, said the sum total of the concerns calls into question the ability of the Porter County Clerk’s Office to handle the election, and the secretary of state’s office is not stepping in to help out or solve the problems.

“It’s clear that the office needs more resources and the office of the secretary of state should be providing some oversight because it’s clear that state law is not being followed,” he said.

Kathy Kozuszek, the Democratic director in the county’s Voter Registration Office and the current Democratic proxy for the county election board, said that office handled the elections until earlier this year. In early March, the election board voted 2-1 along party lines to give election duties to Clerk Karen Martin after Kozuszek sent a letter to some election board and party officials stating she would no longer handle elections because doing so ran afoul of state statute.

State officials said at the time Porter County was the only county in Indiana where elections were handled by the voter registration office, and in the most of the state, those duties are undertaken by the clerk’s office.

Kozuszek said ballots should be sent out to voters the day the clerk’s office receives their applications, and that both Democrats and Republicans should have keyed access to absentee ballots.

“Everybody makes mistakes but not when it’s for voters,” she said. “If we lose one vote, we’ve lost too many.”

Martin, reached later by phone, said absentee ballot requests are being processed in a timely fashion and ballots are going out within a day of when requests are received.

Martin, a Republican who also is on the election board, also said that Democratic and Republican representatives in her office have access to the keys for where the ballots are kept. Members of the election board can request the keys, she said, which are for the door to the room where the ballots are stored and for a container in which they are kept.

The matter came up during the primary, she said, and the method qualifies under state statute.

As far as poll worker assignments, Martin said it is up to party chairs to make those assignments and the situation is fluid as more people sign up to work.

“There are some who have not been placed,” she said, adding online training is available for judges and clerks, who are not required under state statute to attend classes, though inspectors are. Still, she added, classes are available for all three classifications of poll workers.

No formal complaints about the election process have been filed to the election board, said Republican David Bengs, the board’s president.

10222018 - News Article - Assessor Jon Snyder pleads guilty to misdemeanor tax charge

Assessor Jon Snyder pleads guilty to misdemeanor tax charge
Chesterton Tribune
October 22, 2018
http://www.chestertontribune.com/PoliceFireEmergency/assessor_jon_snyder_pleads_guilt.htm

Porter County Assessor Jon Snyder has agreed to plead guilty in federal court to a single misdemeanor count of failure to supply information to the Internal Revenue Service, according to documents filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana.

Snyder entered into the plea agreement on Friday, the same day the U.S. Attorney’s Office unsealed an indictment against him.

The misdemeanor charge is unrelated to Snyder’s government service as Assessor but instead concerns his activities as owner of a private business, Shoreline Appraisals Inc. of Portage.

According to the indictment, Snyder was required to provide the IRS, by Feb. 28, 2014, an “Informational Return 1099 Form,” which documents all payments in excess of $600 for any services rendered by a non-employee in calendar year 2013.

That form is supposed to contain the name of the non-employee, his or her address, and the total dollar amount of payments made by the business to the non-employee.

In fact, the indictment states, in 2013 Shoreline Appraisals paid more than $5,000 to a non-employee, identified only as Person A, but Snyder “willfully” failed to provide the IRS with the requisite Informational Return 1099 Form by Feb. 28, 2014.

Failure to supply information to the IRS carries a maximum term of incarceration of one year and a maximum fine of $100,000.

Snyder, in the plea agreement, states, “I am pleading guilty to this indictment because I am in fact guilty of the offense,” and adds, “Despite knowing my legal responsibility to file with the Internal Revenue Service an ‘Informational Return 1099 Form’ for Person A, I willfully failed to file this form on or before Feb. 28, 2014.”

In exchange for Snyder’s plea, the U.S. Attorney’s Office under the agreement will recommend that the court impose a sentence “equal to the minimum of the applicable guideline range.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also agrees that “for tax years 2008-13, no further criminal tax charges are warranted.”

10222018 - News Article - Union Bosses Charged For Brutal Church Assault - Veach: Portage Parks Board

Union Bosses Charged For Brutal Church Assault
National Right To Work Committee
October 22, 2018
https://nrtwc.org/union-bosses-charged-for-brutal-assaults/

But Controversial 1973 High Court Ruling May Derail Prosecution
More than two-and-a-half years after they allegedly led a savage assault on tradesmen employed at a church-owned construction site in northwestern Indiana, two officers of AFL-CIO-affiliated Iron Workers Local 395 have finally been charged with violating the federal Hobbs Anti-Extortion Act.

During the assault, union goons are accused of having thrown to the ground Scott Kudingo, an employee of the Cary, Ill.-based firm D5 Iron Works Inc., and then “clubbing, kicking and punching” him “in the face, arms, back and body.”

Mr. Kudingo’s jaw was “shattered and broken in two other places.”

And at least some of the union toughs who kicked him in the face and back are believed to have been wearing “steel toe boots.”

As journalist Connor Wolf explained in a February 2017 report for Inside Sources, based in part on witness statements taken by the police right after the incident, there is ample evidence that top officers of Local 395, based in Portage, Ind., participated in the church attack.

Cell Phone Photos Taken by Victims Show Local 395-Owned Cars at the Scene
Witness after witness ID’d Local 395 President Jeffrey Veach and Business Agent Thomas Williamson Sr., joined by roughly 10 henchmen, as having attacked D5 Iron Works tradesmen at the construction site in Dyer, Ind.

Moreover, photographs taken by the victims with their cell phones show at least two vehicles registered with Local 395 as owner were parked at the scene during the attack.

During their initial court appearances this August 16, Mr. Veach and Mr. Williamson (who retired from his post as a union business agent in March 2016) pleaded not guilty and were released on bond.

But rather than testify about what they were supposedly doing on the afternoon of January 7, 2016, other than leading an attack on union-free construction employees, they have already repeatedly invoked their Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate themselves.

The Dyer Police Department investigated the assault complaints against Local 395 bosses and other union militants, but it has never taken any action against the alleged assailants.

Instead, Dyer law enforcement turned the case over to the U.S. Labor and Justice Departments.

As long as the Obama Administration appointees continued to occupy key positions in these two agencies, the federal criminal probe of the extortionate violence used against D5 Iron Works employees and the company itself seemed to make little progress.

But late this summer, Mr. Veach and Mr. Williamson were at last indicted for conspiring “to obstruct, delay, and affect commerce, and the movement of articles and commodities in commerce, by extortion . . . .”

Screaming ‘This Is 395’s Territory!’ Union Thugs ‘Shattered’ Tradesman’s Jaw
Prior to the middle of August, the only charges faced by Local 395 kingpins in connection with the church assault stemmed from a federal civil suit filed by D5 Iron Works, its owner, Mr. Kudingo, and other tradesmen.

According to the amended complaint filed by the plaintiffs in D5 Iron Works v. Iron Workers Local 395 last year, on January 6, 2016, one day before the assault occurred, Mr. Williamson intruded on the site where the Plum Creek Christian Academy (PCCA) was being expanded.

Mr. Williamson ignored an admonition from D5 Iron Works President Richard Lindner, who was then operating a crane on the site, to leave because he was interfering with business operations and trespassing.

Undeterred, the union business agent went on to pressure Mr. Lindner to convert his union-free project into a union-only one.

When Mr. Lindner refused, Mr. Williamson walked over to the school offices of the nearby Dyer Baptist Church, which runs the academy. There, Mr. Williamson pressured Pastor Lee Atkinson to terminate D5’s contract unless it kowtowed to Local 395 bigwigs.

At roughly 3 PM the following day, according to the civil complaint, a Local 395 assault team stormed the PCCA construction site.

As the assailants proceeded to shatter Mr. Kudingo’s jaw, they allegedly screamed at him:

“This is union work! This is 395’s work! This is 395’s territory! Don’t come back!”

Violence Committed to Secure ‘Legitimate’ Union Goals Shielded From Prosecution
Mr. Lindner was able to escape by scaling a construction fence. He promptly contacted authorities.

Unfortunately, Mr. Kudingo wasn’t the only D5 employee who was battered. Iron worker Joe Weil, for example, was repeatedly beaten with wooden boards and “suffered injuries to his person, including but not limited to having a boot-shaped welt mark on his back.” (Mr. Weil has since passed away.)

Because of the criminal assault that occurred on January 6, 2016, D5 Iron Works had to cease all work on the PCCA site. Mr. Kudingo was hospitalized and had to have his jaw wired shut for roughly three months.

Today, Mr. Lindner, Mr. Kudingo, and their colleagues continue to live in fear of future Big Labor violence directed at themselves or their families.

Because D5 Iron Works is based in Illinois, and the PCCA building site is in Indiana, Local 395 officers would seemingly be prosecutable under the Hobbs Act, which prohibits the use of extortionate threats and violence in interstate commerce.

Unfortunately, 45 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial, 5-4 U.S. v Enmons decision exempted threats, vandalism and violence perpetrated to secure “legitimate” union goals from Hobbs Act prosecutions.

National Right to Work Committee President Mark Mix commented:

“The legal loophole created in U.S. v. Enmons in 1973 often makes it extraordinarily difficult to prosecute union thugs.”

Right to Work Committee Pushes For Congress to Overturn Enmons Ruling
He continued:

“Just last year, for example, four Teamster ruffians in Boston used Enmons to get off scot-free after being indicted and tried for threatening and assaulting the cast and crew of the TV reality show Top Chef.

“And the most the pending civil suit can do for the D5 Iron Work victims is furnish them with financial reimbursement for their medical expenses and business losses, and perhaps for their pain and suffering, plus an injunction to deter future attacks by union thugs. As welcome as such remedies are, they are not justice.”

To prevent lawless union bosses from getting away with violence and extortion in the future, the Committee and its members are now pushing for Congress to overturn the Enmons decision.

Freedom From Union Violence Measure Can Hold Union Dons To Ordinary Legal Standards
Late last year, Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced H.R.4422, a common-sense reform known as the Freedom from Union Violence Act.

This measure would overturn Enmons and hold union bosses who orchestrate threats and violence accountable under the Hobbs Act.

“Because Enmons was a matter of statutory, not constitutional, interpretation, Congress retains the power to reverse it legislatively,” explained Mr. Mix.

“Committee officers are now ready to help pro-Right to Work lawmakers do that. And I am confident Committee members nationwide will readily offer their active support.”

10192018 - News Article - Porter County assessor indicted for failing to file tax form

Porter County assessor indicted for failing to file tax form
Chicago Tribune
October 19, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-porter-assessor-tax-charge-st-1020-story.html
Snyder--08

The Porter County assessor was indicted Friday on misdemeanor tax charges related to his private business.

Jon Snyder, 42, was charged in federal court in Hammond for alleged failure to supply information to the IRS, according to court documents unsealed Friday. The charges are related to his private business, Shoreline Appraisals, and not his role as county assessor.

Defense attorney Matthew Fech said Snyder regrets the error with his business’ filings but is ready to take responsibility for the mistake.

“It was a clerical error for his private business,” Fech said.

Snyder, who was in court, does not intend to resign from office, according to Fech, and there is no legal requirement for him to step aside as the charge is a misdemeanor. Fech said Snyder has done “exemplary” work as assessor.

“The people of Porter County recognize the good work he’s done as Porter County assessor,” Fech said.

Snyder, a Republican in his second term as assessor, is on the November ballot for a third term in office, running unopposed. He declined comment on the charge.

Councilman Dan Whitten, D-At large, who said he has known Snyder for several years through county government, agreed.

“It sounds like Jon made some mistakes in his side business and it sounds like he’s owning up to them,” Whitten said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with his job as assessor and frankly, he’s doing a good job.”

Porter County GOP Chairman Michael Simpson declined to comment.

“It’s very important for his constituents to know that as an elected official, he continues to operate his office in a proper fashion,” Fech said.

Snyder, as owner of Shoreline Appraisals Inc., allegedly failed to give the IRS an “Informational Return 1099 Form, which is a requirement for non-employees who received more than $600 in payments during a calendar year, according to court documents.

Snyder and Shoreline Appraisals allegedly failed to file the document for “Person A,” who was paid more than $5,000 in 2013, according to court documents.

“I knew that these payments to ‘Person A’ required Shoreline Appraisals Inc., to file with the Internal Revenue Service on or before Feb. 28, 2014, an ‘Informational Return 1099 Form’ for ‘Person A’,” Snyder said, in a plea agreement filed Friday afternoon. “Despite knowing my legal responsibly to file with the Internal Revenue Service an ‘Informational Return 1099 Form’ for ‘Person A,’ I willfully failed to file this form on or before Feb. 28, 2014.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson said earlier Friday a plea agreement was expected.

Magistrate Judge John Martin set an Oct. 30 change of plea hearing for Snyder.

The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail, according to court documents, and up to a $100,000 fine.

The plea agreement, filed Friday but not yet accepted by a judge, includes wording that Snyder will cooperate with federal authorities.

“…I agree to cooperate fully, truthfully, and candidly with the United States Attorney or his designated representatives as to my knowledge of or involvement in any violation of federal or state law,” Snyder said in the agreement.

The Porter County’s assessor’s case is not related to the criminal charges against his brother, Portage Mayor James Snyder.

James Snyder and John Cortina, of Kustom Auto Body in Portage, were charged in November 2016 with allegedly violating a federal bribery statue. Federal prosecutors said the mayor allegedly solicited money from Cortina and “Individual A” and gave them a towing contract for Portage.

James Snyder allegedly accepted two checks, one for $10,000 and another for $2,000, from Cortina and “Individual A,” according to court documents.

James Snyder received an additional bribery indictment for alleged accepting $13,000 in connection with a Board of Works contract.

Additional charges allege that James Snyder obstructed Internal Revenue Service laws.

James Snyder and Cortina have both pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court documents.

10192018 - News Article - Porter County Assessor Jon Snyder, arraigned on tax charge, will cooperate with feds in corruption case against brother, Portage Mayor James Snyder

Porter County Assessor Jon Snyder, arraigned on tax charge, will cooperate with feds in corruption case against brother, Portage Mayor James Snyder
NWI Times
October 19, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/portage-county-assessor-jon-snyder-arraigned-in-federal-court-on/article_2dd97213-58ad-5a43-bd86-6b38a8b87ea3.html

HAMMOND — Porter County Assessor Jon M. Snyder will cooperate with federal authorities in the corruption case against his brother, Portage Mayor James Snyder, as part of a plea agreement in an unrelated tax case, his attorney said.

Jon Snyder, dressed in a blue suit with brown loafers, was arraigned Friday morning in the U.S. District Court of Hammond on allegations he failed to supply information to the IRS, a Class A misdemeanor. The parties agreed Snyder would be released from federal custody on a $20,000 unsecured appearance bond until a plea hearing scheduled for Oct. 30.

Jon Snyder admitted in a plea agreement filed Friday afternoon that as owner of Shoreline Appraisals Inc., his private business, he failed to file tax forms with the IRS for an independent contractor his company hired in 2013.

He agreed to plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge and will face no new criminal tax charges for the 2008 through 2013 tax years, the agreement states. 

As part of the agreement, Jon Snyder also agreed to “cooperate fully, truthfully and candidly” with federal authorities regarding his “knowledge of or involvement in, any violation of federal or state law.”

Matthew Fech, defense attorney for Jon Snyder, confirmed Friday afternoon his client was a cooperating witness against James Snyder, who was charged in November 2016 with felony bribery and extortion charges related to Portage towing vendor and public works contracts, as well as tax evasion charges related to his private business.

Fech said his client's case was unrelated to the corruption case.

“His case stands apart from his brother's case,” Fech said. “There is no allegation that my client was involved in a pay-to-play scheme.”

The defense attorney declined to comment on whether Jon Snyder had recorded conversations with his brother as part of the federal investigation.

Fech said outside the courthouse Friday morning Jon Snyder had accepted responsibility for the tax offense, which resulted from a “filing error” related to his private appraisal business. He said Snyder's business hired an independent contractor to perform services, but then failed to file tax forms alerting the IRS of the contractor's work.

Fech said Jon Snyder had no intention to resign as Porter County assessor. He said the allegations had nothing to do with his client's work as county assessor. He said Jon Snyder was married with 10 children, and at the time of his mistake, he had “a lot going on” with his private business and family.

“To be clear, Mr. Snyder is accepting responsibility for errors related to his appraisal business,” Fech said.

10132018 - News Article - Vulgar language may be out, Kirsch's name is in at Snyder corruption trial

Vulgar language may be out, Kirsch's name is in at Snyder corruption trial
NWI Times
October 13, 2018
UPDATED: November 08, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/vulgar-language-may-be-out-kirsch-s-name-is-in/article_18d98223-2de9-5c78-822b-0f1a54621d39.html

HAMMOND — While Portage Mayor James Snyder's public corruption case isn't scheduled to begin until January, the federal judge hearing the case ruled this week on some of the evidence that will and will not be included in the trial.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen ruled this week on both Snyder's and federal prosecutors' motions in limine filed last month. The motions asked for certain evidence to be excluded from trial.

"Vulgar" language may or may not be part of the evidence in court in January.

Snyder had asked that undercover recordings of his co-defendant John Cortina be redacted because of Cortina's use of vulgar language. Snyder said he feared the jury would be prejudiced by the offensive language. Prosecutors said they would keep it out unless it is relative to the issues in the case. They also agreed to provide Snyder with experts of the recordings in case he wanted to object.

Van Bokkelen agreed with the arrangement, ordering prosecutors to have the tapes to Snyder by Nov. 30 for review.

Prosecutors wanted to exclude any mention of Thomas Kirsch during testimony. Kirsch, the current U.S. Attorney for the Northern District, was hired by Snyder as his attorney in 2014 and remained in the job until taking the new position last year.

Snyder can use Kirsch's name, wrote Van Bokkelen, as long as it is not gratuitous, "akin to name dropping." 

Of the 18 items in the two motions the judge was asked to rule on, he sided with Snyder on some, prosecutors on others, took several others under advisement and some requests, Van Bokkelen deemed "overbroad."

Evidence will be introduced regarding allegations that Snyder failed to pay taxes related to the mortgage company he once owned. Snyder had requested evidence be introduced regarding his failure to pay his personal taxes, saying the tax evasion charge against him regarded his personal taxes.

Van Bokkelen also ruled that information about Snyder's wife employment be excluded, but will allow evidence the government obtained investigating other city employees.

10052018 - News Article - Judge pushes Portage mayor's corruption trial to January

Judge pushes Portage mayor's corruption trial to January
Chicago Tribune
October 05, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-snyder-trial-start-st-1006-story.html

A federal judge on Friday delayed the corruption case against Mayor James Snyder and a Portage tow operator that was initially set to start Tuesday.

Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen decided to push the trial of Synder and John Cortina, of Kustom Auto Body in Portage, to January. The judge said he thought it was best to move the trial instead of splitting the case in two.

Van Bokkelen said a two- to three-month delay was appropriate.

“Based on the history of this case, it’s not a long period of time,” Van Bokkelen said.

Kevin Milner, Cortina’s defense attorney, asked the judge to either push the start of the case against the two men or sever his client and schedule that trial at a later date, citing personal medical reasons.

Snyder’s defense attorneys pushed the judge to keep the trial on track, saying they were “ready.”

“Mayor Snyder is anxious to get to trial in this matter, to clear his good name in the community, and he was looking forward to the Oct. 9 trial date as the court knows,” defense attorney Thomas Dogan said Friday.

Dogan said Snyder wanted to note on the record that he objected to the delay.

“For greater than 10 percent of his life, the mayor has been living under an unfair continual dark cloud, with the meritless charges that have been leveled against him,” Dogan said. “His family, friends and the staff of the City of Portage suffer.”

Van Bokkelen said he his cognizant of the amount of time the case has been pending and appreciates Snyder’s desire for the trial to start.

“I understand what you’re saying,” Van Bokkelen said.

Federal prosecutors sought to keep the two defendants together, and agreed Van Bokkelen should shift the trial date.

“The interests of convenience, economy and efficient administration of justice dictate that Snyder and Cortina, joined in the same indictment, be tried together,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson wrote, in court documents.

Benson also cited pending motions that Van Bokkelen must rule on and recent material turned over to prosecutors that must be reviewed as reasons to bump the trial.

Snyder and Cortina were charged in November 2016 with allegedly violating a federal bribery statue. Federal prosecutors said the mayor allegedly solicited money from Cortina and “Individual A” and gave them a towing contract for Portage.

Snyder received an additional bribery indictment for alleged accepting $13,000 in connection with a Board of Works contract, and allegedly obstructing Internal Revenue Service laws.

Snyder and Cortina both pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court documents.

10052018 - News Article - Portage mayor's corruption trial continued until Jan. 14

Portage mayor's corruption trial continued until Jan. 14
NWI Times
October 05, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-s-corruption-trial-continued-until-jan/article_2f81b705-cbab-5d89-bb68-140a654738b4.html

HAMMOND — Portage Mayor James Snyder will have to wait a little longer to have his day in court.

In an open court session Friday afternoon, U.S. Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen announced his decision to a motion filed a week earlier by Snyder's co-defendant John Cortina.

"In the interest of justice, it is best to begin Jan. 14," Van Bokkelen said.

Cortina's attorney Kevin Milner filed a motion Sept. 28 requesting either a continuance of the joint trial or a severing of the two cases. The motion stated Milner's child was to undergo open heart surgery on Oct. 16 and the trial was expected to last three weeks.

Federal prosecutors favored a continuance in their response to the motion. Snyder asked his trial move forward Oct. 9 as planned.

Snyder's local attorney, Tom Dogan, of Merrillville, objected to the ruling, reading a statement.

"Your honor, for the record, I ask that it be noted that this continuance was granted over my client's objections," said Dogan, adding that Snyder is anxious to go to trial "to clear his good name in the community."

"For greater than 10 percent of his life, the mayor has been living under an unfair continual dark cloud, with the meritless charges that have been leveled against him. His family, friends and the staff of the City of Portage suffer," said Dogan.

A telephonic hearing was held Tuesday in closed court to discuss the matter.

Van Bokkelen said the hearing was held outside of the public and media because some "health issues" arose that he felt should be discussed behind closed doors. Those issues, he added, had no baring on the case.

He added that Friday's ruling announcement would have normally been a post on the court's document, but decided to have an open court session to announce the ruling because there have been several hearings in the case held outside of the public's view. Several hearings were closed to the public and media in May as the sides argued over what may or may not be attorney-client privilege emails and the process used to review those emails.

This is the seventh continuance granted in the case.

Van Bokkelen said he received the case late, but initially thought it could have been tried last year. Circumstances made him realize that would not be possible and he set the October date, he said, thinking all parties would have sufficient time to prepare.

Van Bokkelen said he decided not to sever the two cases because of "other things that came up that make a difference."

When looking to reschedule the trial, he added that "putting a three to four week trial somewhere is not an easy thing to do" and settled on the January date. Deadlines for additional filing were set and a status conference will be held Jan. 3.

Snyder and Cortina were indicted in November 2016. Snyder has been under investigation by the FBI since early 2014. Snyder was charged with two counts of accepting bribes and one count of tax evasion Cortina, owner of Kustom Auto Body in Portage, was charged with one count of bribery.

10042018 - News Article - A look back at Portage Mayor James Snyder's court case since his indictment

A look back at Portage Mayor James Snyder's court case since his indictment
NWI Times
October 04, 2018
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/a-look-back-at-portage-mayor-james-snyder-s-court/collection_54f1b71c-2911-5ca4-845d-d94cb8e559d1.html
A collection of news stories from The Times and court documents relating to Portage Mayor James Snyder's federal indictment in November 2016 and court proceedings since the indictment.

The decision as to whether Snyder's public corruption trial moves forward next week will be announced Friday afternoon.


Mayor Snyder indictment
NWI Times
November 18, 2016
https://www.nwitimes.com/records/mayor-snyder-indictment/pdf_6d0a88c7-6f37-5a53-9751-94c7b47c50f9.html

Portage Mayor Snyder indicted on bribery, tax charges
NWI Times
November 18, 2016
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-mayor-snyder-indicted-on-bribery-tax-charges/article_9d464eac-3944-5e2b-b914-464b0f2bdbe8.html

Portage mayor files for continuance in federal case
NWI Times
December 16, 2016
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-mayor-files-for-continuance-in-federal-case/article_2c8dd8be-2618-5d9c-9cbb-4c19194444be.html

EDITORIAL: Buncich, Snyder selfishly hold posts
NWI Times
January 15, 2017
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-buncich-snyder-selfishly-hold-posts/article_dc7f2c86-7e55-5c11-8195-336982e2ac74.html

Another continuance sought in Snyder bribery, corruption trial
NWI Times
June 13, 2017
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/another-continuance-sought-in-snyder-bribery-corruption-trial/article_b6e9bd7b-6cc6-5182-9abd-76c81df35a5e.html

Portage mayor's trial pushed back to January
NWI Times
June 29, 2017
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-s-trial-pushed-back-to-january/article_fa5874dd-49d2-529f-abcb-6ecf26146a2c.html

MARC CHASE: Portage needs clean break from Snyder
NWI Times
July 02, 2017
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/marc-chase/marc-chase-portage-needs-clean-break-from-snyder/article_14931464-42fc-57d0-a5cb-fa7d71e8b293.html

UPDATE: Schererville's Kirsch named new U.S. Attorney
NWI Times
July 14, 2017
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/update-schererville-s-kirsch-named-new-u-s-attorney/article_a918f0b8-de46-5165-aa04-6eeb6ba6d9ca.html

Senate OKs Thomas L. Kirsch II as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana
NWI Times
October 03, 2017
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/senate-oks-thomas-l-kirsch-ii-as-u-s-attorney/article_2f2e7534-33dd-5436-b75d-da6a6b6690e0.html

Portage Mayor James Snyder chooses Indianapolis attorney to represent him in federal case
NWI Times
October 06, 2017
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-james-snyder-chooses-indianapolis-attorney-to-represent-him/article_9f885a46-1616-511b-b550-cb33b8330328.html

New U.S. attorney for Northern Indiana says public corruption 'a significant priority'
NWI Times
October 11, 2017
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/new-u-s-attorney-for-northern-indiana-says-public-corruption/article_729f329b-26c6-5d0f-a085-56d596997060.html

Portage Mayor James Snyder seeks another continuance in federal corruption trial
NWI Times
November 28, 2017
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/portage-mayor-james-snyder-seeks-another-continuance-in-federal-corruption/article_e88ddca7-6f2a-5f4f-8d0e-a0b6faa0c76a.html

Portage Mayor James Snyder's federal trial pushed back to June 4
NWI Times
January 04, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-james-snyder-s-federal-trial-pushed-back-to/article_4b032d42-a867-5db9-a565-55273cf4c092.html

Indicted Portage Mayor James Snyder claims constitutional rights violated in federal corruption case
NWI Times
March 01, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/indicted-portage-mayor-james-snyder-claims-constitutional-rights-violated-in/article_8087d7d7-a47b-530e-a3b9-158804abe7c0.html

Prosecutors challenge alleged email violations in Portage Mayor James Snyder's federal criminal case
NWI Times
March 07, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/prosecutors-challenge-alleged-email-violations-in-portage-mayor-james-snyder/article_b62db74f-9cf1-5668-a1ad-1b0e071938e0.html

Embattled Portage mayor takes aim at U.S. attorney's top guns
NWI Times
March 15, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/embattled-portage-mayor-takes-aim-at-u-s-attorney-s/article_422662f8-134a-5697-9d7b-61870fa90fe1.html

Judge isn't ready to rule on defense request to dismiss corruption charges against the Portage mayor
NWI Times
March 15, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/lake-newsletter/lake-news/judge-isn-t-ready-to-rule-on-defense-request-to/article_23db0648-8355-50e3-88b1-a35b75eeaf96.html

Portage mayor James Snyder's defense lawyer continues to hammer federal prosecutors' email handling
NWI Times
March 23, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/portage-mayor-james-snyder-s-defense-lawyer-continues-to-hammer/article_182e98d1-e257-55c4-9ea0-0f2d0a917e75.html

Court orders prosecutors to turn over documents by Friday in Snyder corruption case
NWI Times
March 26, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/court-orders-prosecutors-to-turn-over-documents-by-friday-in/article_495cf8b1-204d-57ab-9503-0bc86b5d7cda.html

Prosecution in Portage Mayor James Snyder's corruption case says disputed emails contain no privileged information
NWI Times
March 30, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/prosecution-in-portage-mayor-james-snyder-s-corruption-case-says/article_fd0b893a-6233-5e4d-927d-b34ab4dc2474.html

UPDATE: Portage mayor files motion to dismiss public corruption probe due to handling of 
NWI Times
April 10, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/update-portage-mayor-files-motion-to-dismiss-public-corruption-probe/article_369bded0-efe7-5927-b5a1-e61c6e9d0f77.html

Hearing on attorney conflict-of-interest requested in Portage public corruption case
NWI Times
April 11, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/hearing-on-attorney-conflict-of-interest-requested-in-portage-public/article_4bf87c57-a031-5f04-9adb-37294ba9afda.html

Prosecution in Snyder corruption case pushes for answers on emails
NWI Times
April 16, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/prosecution-in-snyder-corruption-case-pushes-for-answers-on-emails/article_2e895cc5-c533-5035-bcc0-6519ddeb026d.html

Indicted Portage mayor responds in latest volley of briefs in federal court
NWI Times
April 17, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/indicted-portage-mayor-responds-in-latest-volley-of-briefs-in/article_bf873d1c-f9d6-5a94-82d9-cdfe20b34277.html

Battle over Portage mayor's emails continues in federal court filings
NWI Times
April 19, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/battle-over-portage-mayor-s-emails-continues-in-federal-court/article_755ce058-ec8b-5d70-85b7-c0f743c103ac.html

Hearings will be held on two matters in Snyder corruption case
NWI Times
April 20, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/hearings-will-be-held-on-two-matters-in-snyder-corruption/article_375491fc-11ed-5ac1-8ac7-ef401e16fff3.html

Portage mayor accuses government of lying, hiding facts in latest filing in his corruption case
NWI Times
April 23, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/portage-mayor-accuses-government-of-lying-hiding-facts-in-latest/article_ab74fe96-f0bb-5d33-b589-acb8af5e16ea.html

Hearing set on Portage mayor's claims his rights were violated during federal corruption probe
NWI Times
April 26, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/hearing-set-on-portage-mayor-s-claims-his-rights-were/article_95ace816-1f6b-53c6-a753-1aadadf4a276.html

Prosecutors, defense continue to argue over documents and information in Portage mayor's 
NWI Times
April 30, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/prosecutors-defense-continue-to-argue-over-documents-and-information-in/article_0e4a2b3f-3f6e-5874-809b-ca3d08f98ec3.html

Portage Mayor Snyder co-defendant, potential government witnesses waive possible attorney conflicts
NWI Times
May 03, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/portage-mayor-snyder-co-defendant-potential-government-witnesses-waive-possible/article_85156f65-c643-506c-971a-1e22ab645fea.html

UPDATE: Indicted Portage mayor calls federal prosecutors' latest filing in case 'baffling'
NWI Times
May 08, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/update-indicted-portage-mayor-calls-federal-prosecutors-latest-filing-in/article_2a84f98f-cd99-5d58-a4f4-1a0efc14049b.html

Judge in James Snyder's public corruption case will decide on necessity of witnesses at Thursday hearing
NWI Times
May 09, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/judge-in-james-snyder-s-public-corruption-case-will-decide/article_4921acb4-386f-5387-b78c-9bf568325ee9.html

Hearing on Portage mayor's email status held in closed federal court
NWI Times
May 10, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/hearing-on-portage-mayor-s-email-status-held-in-closed/article_7d792654-d8e0-5603-ace3-ca82d8396c42.html

Portage mayor's public corruption trial pushed back to undetermined date
NWI Times
May 11, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/portage-mayor-s-public-corruption-trial-pushed-back-to-undetermined/article_065d1b55-8c89-5ab3-988f-850fac8a78c0.html

Portage Mayor James Snyder's trial reset for Oct. 9
NWI Times
May 15, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/portage-mayor-james-snyder-s-trial-reset-for-oct/article_e4a0e327-d5e4-54b5-9e19-bc4a044c37d5.html

UPDATE: After open testimony about review process, judge shuts doors for afternoon during hearing on James Snyder email claim
NWI Times
May 24, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/update-after-open-testimony-about-review-process-judge-shuts-doors/article_98a16192-9b0b-5875-ada9-3b3b2750985b.html

U.S. Attorney Kirsch testifies behind closed doors during Portage mayor's hearing in public corruption trial
NWI Times
May 30, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/u-s-attorney-kirsch-testifies-behind-closed-doors-during-portage/article_c9bab462-c41d-5f7c-8c4c-1d5441474623.html

Portage Mayor Snyder's defense team claims even better email review processes -- including one proposed in Trump attorney Michael Cohen's case -- rejected by the courts
NWI Times
June 11, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/portage-mayor-snyder-s-defense-team-claims-even-better-email/article_0538f867-75af-5b05-905f-f575c35edaf2.html

Feds offer latest volley in battle over Mayor Snyder's emails
NWI Times
June 25, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/feds-offer-latest-volley-in-battle-over-mayor-snyder-s/article_b56478a1-d02a-5f38-8a21-c8545e9fef38.html

Portage mayor's federal public corruption trial to move forward Oct. 9
NWI Times
September 14, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-s-federal-public-corruption-trial-to-move-forward/article_e79a9172-ec19-5930-9fc2-e6ec6820e214.html

Mayor Snyder seeks dismissal of public corruption case
NWI Times
September 21, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/mayor-snyder-seeks-dismissal-of-public-corruption-case/article_73350305-a628-5fda-ae4e-e8434882e97d.html

Federal judge rules against Portage mayor over email, 'taint team' issue
NWI Times
September 27, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/federal-judge-rules-against-portage-mayor-over-email-taint-team/article_592db4ca-fc0d-5485-9ccb-4dd1653ee600.html

Court filings continue to flow days before Portage mayor's corruption trial scheduled to begin
NWI Times
September 28, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/court-filings-continue-to-flow-days-before-portage-mayor-s/article_95bfa08a-e91f-56aa-9576-dd692b9c9ec3.html

Snyder's co-defendant requests delay in trial; hearing scheduled for Tuesday
NWI Times
October 01, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/snyder-s-co-defendant-requests-delay-in-trial-hearing-scheduled/article_266543bc-cb8c-5104-bddf-2f5cfbcf189e.html

Ruling to come later this week on fate of Portage mayor's upcoming trial
NWI Times
October 02, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/ruling-to-come-later-this-week-on-fate-of-portage/article_b8a78551-2a6c-5d53-96d5-beb27eae24df.html

Decision on whether Portage mayor goes on trial next week will be announced Friday
NWI Times
October 03, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/decision-on-whether-portage-mayor-goes-on-trial-next-week/article_9dd3f3b7-8a2e-5c76-8b46-7c0d2ba66c1f.html