09162003 - News Article - With all this help, thorough investigation is assured - The issue: Lake County grand jury - ROBERT CANTRELL

With all this help, thorough investigation is assured
The issue: Lake County grand jury
NWI Times
Sep 16, 2003
nwitimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/with-all-this-help-thorough-investigation-is-assured/article_48f91941-0b86-5c26-8f81-27abded7508c.html
Our opinion: This cooperation among county and state agencies should assure residents of Lake County that all the best resources available are being used to make sure

It's official. Attorney General Steve Carter said his office will help Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter in his investigation of vote fraud in the county.

This is good news.

Bernard Carter has impaneled a special grand jury to examine whether there were violations of elections law in the Democratic primaries in East Chicago and Schererville. He asked for help from the attorney general's office after concerns were expressed that some possible targets of the grand jury had made political contributions over the years to him. As many as 160 people, many of them with high-profile political names, could receive letters advising them that they are targets of the investigation.

"We are committed to participating as the prosecutor has invited us to," said Steve Carter. He added that it was likely that more than one person from his office will be involved in helping investigate and present evidence to the grand jury over the next six months.

Bernard Carter also will have help from the office of Secretary of State Todd Rokita, who has offered staff to help educate the grand jury on election laws. The Indiana State Police has provided an investigator to question witnesses and develop leads.

All these agencies working together should ensure a thorough investigation into allegations that absentee ballots in the primaries were improperly and illegally used by supporters of East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick, who survived a recount trial, and Deborah Riga, the Schererville town judge whose primary victory was tossed out by a judge.

Just as important, this cooperation among county and state agencies should assure residents of Lake County that the allegations are being taken seriously and that all the best resources available are being used to make sure that justice is being done.