10252006 - News Article - Cantrell leaving township job - Political insider says it's time for him to retire, takes teaching job at PUC - ROBERT CANTRELL

Cantrell leaving township job 
Political insider says it's time for him to retire, takes teaching job at PUC
Post-Tribune
October 25, 2006
Still under the cloud of a federal investigation, political power broker Robert Cantrell is leaving his job in North Township for a teaching assignment at Purdue University Calumet.

Cantrell's last day is Friday. He said he is officially retiring after five years, just ahead of his 65th birthday Nov. 19.

The political fixer has been a lightning rod of controversy since former North Township Trustee Greg Cvitkovich brought him into the township office five years ago. Cantrell held a number of job titles but had been running the East Chicago poor-relief office in recent years.

"I decided that it was time. I've done my thing. I've had a good stay here. It's time to retire," Cantrell said.

Cantrell stayed on after Mrvan replaced Cvitkovich, who resigned after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges in 2005.

Mrvan did not demand Cantrell's resignation, Cantrell said. Mrvan could not be reached for comment late Tuesday afternoon.

"I could have stayed if I wanted to, but I've had my day," Cantrell said.

Without giving details, Cantrell said the two had an agreement he would eventually leave after Mrvan won the 2006 primary.

Over the last four years, federal investigators have carted away boxes of records from North Township. Word has leaked out of two grand juries looking at Cantrell, though no charges have ever been filed. Sources inside the North Township office said state and federal investigators have recently carted away more records pertaining to Cantrell, including time records.

Though he has never been charged, Cantrell has been linked to accusations of ghost payrolling for possibly campaign on township time, and has been linked with Addiction Family Counseling, which has won several lucrative contracts with public agencies including North Township.

Beginning this semester, Cantrell is teaching two classes in American history up to 1877, at Purdue Calumet.

Cantrell has a Ph.D in school administration, but his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan is in history.

Cantrell was also one of the architects of McDermott's successful bid for mayor in 2004 but Cantrell said the mayor played no role in him getting the teaching assignment.