Operations "Bar Tab," "Lights Out" and "Restore Public Integrity" timeline
NWI Times
May 23, 2004
nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/operations-bar-tab-lights-out-and-restore-public-integrity-timeline/article_d06d748c-f368-59c7-b6a4-c95aed7878a9.html
1985
John Marine, a former Lake Superior Court bailiff was convicted of racketeering and extortion for fixing drunken driving cases extortion in Bar Tab.
Rudy Bartolomei, former county commissioner and county sheriff until his indictment and resignation following his guilty plea to possession of an unregistered firearm. He entered the witness-protection program and initiated investigations that resulted in many other convictions of public officials in an investigation known as Lights Out.
Orval Anderson, deceased, former Lake Superior Court judge was convicted of perjury for denying he made decision in drunken driving cases without a prosecutor present. He was targeted with other court personnel accused of fixing drunken driving cases in an investigation known as Bar Tab.
1986
Stephen Bielak, a former Lake Superior Court judge and Robert Balitewicz, his court administrator, were convicted of charges they blocked information state motor vehicle officials needed on drunken drivers in Bar Tab.
Edward Lukawski, former county clerk, was convicted of helping fix drunken driving cases by blocking information state motor vehicle officials needed on drunken drivers in Bar Tab.
1987
Ronald Borsits, a former Lake Superior Court bailiff, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice charges in Bar Tab.
Michael Jankovich, former county assessor and his deputy Roland D. Watson, were convicted of accepting bribes to lower property tax assessments in Lights Out.
1988
Noah Atterson Spann, former county commissioner and Rudy Byron, Spann's administrative aide, were convicted of arranging and accepting bribes from janitorial services hired to clean the county government center in Lights Out.
Frank A. J. Stodola, former Hammond city judge, Lake Superior judge and county commissioner, was convicted of accepting bribes from janitorial services hired to clean the county government center.
1990
Michael Mokol, a veteran county police officer, interim county sheriff and Merrillville town councilman, was indicted and later convicted of arranging protection for illegal gambling concerns in return for bribes.
1991
Ezell Cooper, a former county councilman, was indicted and later convicted of embezzling funds from United Steelworkers Local 1014 while serving as its financial secretary.
1994
Steve Corey, former county commissioner, was indicted and later convicted of taking bribes for the award of lucrative janitorial contracts to clean county property.
1999
Robert Freeland, a former county recorder, and Valerie Levy, his chief assistant, were indicted and later convicted of receiving bribes from private document-search companies.
2000
Jerry Genova, former Calumet City Mayor, Lawrence Gulotta, former Calumet City prosecutor and Jerome Stack, former Calumet City public works commissioner were indicted and later convicted of racketeering charges they stole city funds. Genova also used city employees to do political work on city time.
2003
Katie Hall, former Gary city clerk and Junifer Hall, a daughter and her chief deputy, were indicted and later convicted of extorting campaign contributions and cash gifts from employees.
Peter Benjamin, former county auditor and county assessor, was indicted and later convicted of paying bribes to obtain county business for his law firm.
Troy Montgomery, a former county councilman was indicted and later convicted of accepting bribes.
