Town judge election trial convenes at high noon
Challenger Anderson says case on vote fraud is stronger this time around
NWI Times
Aug 6, 2003
nwitimes.com/news/local/town-judge-election-trial-convenes-at-high-noon/article_3051714a-8216-52b8-aeaf-2384d6480a94.html
SCHERERVILLE -- Town judge contender Kenneth Anderson will roll out his case today that an organized scheme to vote in the names of other people stole May's Democratic primary from him.
Anderson lost by 11 votes to incumbent Town Judge Deborah Riga, who pulled the marginal victory with overwhelming support from mail-in ballots. For months Anderson has been trying to prove many of those ballots where illegally voted by one person: Bob "Bosko" Grkinich, a local precinct committeeman.
An election panel rejected Anderson's accusations in June despite agreeing that four absentee votes were in the names of voters who left Schererville years ago.
An election panel rejected Anderson's accusations in June despite agreeing that four absentee votes were in the names of voters who left Schererville years ago.
Since that ruling, Anderson has questioned nearly 30 voters including Grkinich and some of his relatives.
"We have some pretty good evidence," Anderson said Tuesday.
Through those depositions, Anderson's attorneys said they have established at least eight instances of blatant voter fraud and have outlined a connection between them, showing an orchestrated effort to throw the election.
Riga and Grkinich have not returned numerous phone calls over the past five weeks.
During the election panel hearings in June, Anderson's attorney showed that three absentee voters had moved to Norridge, Ill., in fall 2001. He also presented utility records showing another mail-in voter actually lived in Crown Point.
Applications in the names of the Illinois residents directed the ballots be sent to Grkinich's mother's house in Crown Point.
The Illinois voters told Anderson during questioning in late July that they knew nothing about the ballots. Grkinich refused to answer Anderson's questions about the ballots, instead invoking his constitutional right to not incriminate himself, Anderson's attorneys said.
John Craig, one of Anderson's attorneys, has said they've uncovered at least four additional instances of voters either unaware of ballots in their name or not voting their own ballots.
The hurdle for Anderson to clear today is high.
He must show the fraud was so rampant it makes it impossible to determine who won the election, according to state law.
If Lake Superior Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura rules in his favor, she can order a new election in the town or the precinct Anderson proves the fraud epidemic occurred, state election officials say. Anderson has focused his investigation on the 10th Precinct, in the east side Novo Selo neighborhood.
Anderson said Tuesday he has asked nearly 20 people to testify in court today. Bonaventura has marked Friday for the trial to continue on if needed.
Riga's attorneys already have appealed the court challenge to the state Supreme Court, and Bonaventura repeatedly has denied Riga's attempts to have the case thrown out.
Robert Vann, Riga's attorney, has tried to convince Bonaventura the court challenge violated state deadlines. Vann also contends Anderson had his chance during the election panel hearings in June.
Bonaventura has set Aug. 22 for Anderson's appeal to that panel's vote. And Anderson's rebuttal to Riga's Supreme Court appeal is due in by Monday.
The outcomes of these court hearings likely will determine who will deal out justice for petty crimes and traffic violations in Schererville for the next four years.
The Republicans have failed to field a candidate for November's general election.
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