02072019 - News Article - Portage chief rebuffs claims that mayor had one tow firm bumped from city list to make way for another that paid bribe

Portage chief rebuffs claims that mayor had one tow firm bumped from city list to make way for another that paid bribe
Chicago Tribune
February 07, 2019
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-snyder-trial-day-14-st-0708-story.html

Portage’s police chief rebuffed the idea that a tow operator was removed from the city’s tow list to make room for another company that allegedly bribed Mayor James Snyder.

Portage Police Chief Troy Williams on Thursday said it was a “collective decision” to remove Waffco, a Lake Station firm, after city officials found the company didn’t have a satisfactory yard in the city. Federal prosecutors aimed to show that the company met all the city’s requirements and was removed to open a spot for John Cortina of Kustom Auto Body, and Scott Jurgensen, of Samson’s Towing, after they gave Snyder an alleged $12,000 bribe.

Defense attorney Jayna Cacioppo asked who made the decision to terminate Waffco.

“I would say it was more a collective decision,” Williams said.

Cacioppo asked if Williams was ever directed by the mayor to remove Waffco from the tow list.

“No,” Williams said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson asked about the decision to get rid of Waffco, and if the mayor made the final call.

“There were conversations,” Williams said. “I was in agreement with it.”

The mayor had the authority to make that call, Benson asked.

“Yes,” Williams said.

Benson showed Williams a copy of the Portage Police Department’s vehicle release form that listed Waffco’s address in Lake Station.

Williams said it was a clerical form and he “wasn’t familiar with every form.”

Benson asked if anyone had complained about not being able to find Waffco’s yard.

“Not that I recall,” Williams said.

Kevin Farthing, owner of Waffco Towing in Lake Station, testified Tuesday that he had towed for Portage from 1998 to when the city ended the contract in July 2016.

Farthing said his company had worked out of two rented yards in Portage, even though his main Lake Station yard was only minutes from the county line. Farthing said when he began towing for the Porter County Sheriff’s Department he rented a new yard in Portage in 2015.

On July 20, 2016, Farthing said he received a letter from Joe Calhoun, the city’s then director of administration, informing him the towing contract was going to end because Waffco didn’t have a yard in Portage.

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

Snyder has pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court documents.

Cortina, who was indicted alongside the mayor, pleaded guilty to a charge that he paid bribes to Snyder to get a spot on the tow list. Cortina is expected to cooperate with federal investigators against Snyder, according to court documents.

Cacioppo asked Williams about when Cortina had previously partnered with Ambassador, which was later removed from Portage’s tow list in 2015.

Williams said the department had complaints about the company arriving late, not adequately cleaning scenes and drivers not dressing appropriately.

Cacioppo asked if Snyder could have told Williams to keep Ambassador on the list.

“Yes,” Williams said.

Benson said that even though Williams had repeated complaints about Ambassador, he continued to give them another chance unlike Waffco.

Benson said the city told Waffco it was being taken off the list for not having a yard in Portage even though the written towing agreement doesn’t say they needed that.

Federal prosecutors rested their case Wednesday after presenting evidence of Snyder’s alleged schemes for 11 days.

Prosecutors say that when Snyder first ran for mayor, he told residents he planned to automate Portage’s trash pickup, but would up allegedly steering contracts for $712,882.50 and another for $425,355 to Great Lakes Peterbilt, which was then owned by Robert and Steve Buha. Prosecutors say the deal netted Snyder a $13,000 kickback.

Great Lakes Peterbilt is now owned by a different firm.

After getting those contracts, prosecutors Great Lakes Peterbilt gave Snyder a check for $13,000 payable to his shell company, which state records showed had been dissolved.

Snyder is also charged with obstructing or impeding the IRS, according to court documents.