Sights set on public corruption
U.S. attorney pledges renewed crackdown
Post-Tribune (IN)
March 20, 2002
The way U.S. Attorney Joseph Van Bokkelen sees it, his probe into public corruption could be the sequel to Operation Lights Out.
Lights Out, which had about a five-year run beginning in 1985, sent several Lake County government officials to prison for public corruption.
"It is in the Lights Out mode with my touch on it," Van Bokkelen said Tuesday about rejuvenating the office's public corruption unit.
He took over as U.S. attorney in October.
"We meet regularly to discuss the various cases and the new cases that come in through various sources, including newspapers."
A Post-Tribune series on the fund-raising tactics of Gary City Clerk Katie Hall led to a federal grand jury investigation in December. It is continuing.
Although he won't discuss specific cases, Van Bokkelen said the probe of public corruption is one of the priorities of his office.
"I think people look to our office as the last, best chance to hold people to their oath," Van Bokkelen said.
"We are going to show people we take it seriously when we say we will not tolerate people who abuse their positions in public service."
Although Van Bokkelen recently told the Crown Point Rotary Club that public corruption is a "cottage industry" in Lake County, he said the majority of those in public service are "very honest, very dedicated."
Van Bokkelen added, "I think most people assume public office with the best of intentions."
Van Bokkelen said he thinks public corruption slowed down during Lights Out but now has a new vigor.
"As people's memories fade and new people come in, it picks back up," Van Bokkelen said.
Former U.S. Attorney James Richmond, who once was with Van Bokkelen's law firm, launched Lights Out.
"Will the last person out of the county government center please turn out the lights," Richmond said as the probe unfolded.
Lights Out was launched when former County Commissioner and Sheriff Rudy Bartolomei turned government witness after being charged.
The probe led to the conviction of four county commissioners and others, largely for taking kickbacks on county contracts.
Bartolomei went into the federal witness protection program but has since returned to the public sector.
