Cantrell denies plea rumors
Politico plans to contest fraud charges against him
NWI Times
Feb 29, 2008
nwitimes.com/news/local/cantrell-denies-plea-rumors/article_235ad385-faf2-5d96-975e-b97b1ac74db7.html
Longtime political operative Robert Cantrell's lawyer says his client is not striking a plea deal with the feds.
A month before his federal fraud trial, the former East Chicagoan is disputing rumors that he's working out a plea deal in order to avoid trial.
"We have every intention of going to trial. Under no circumstances would there be any negotiations," Cantrell defense attorney Kevin Milner said. "This is going to trial for one reason -- to vindicate him."
Cantrell, 65, of Schererville, ran the East Chicago Republican Party on and off for several decades beginning in the 1960s. He was indicted by a federal grand jury last April on 11 counts of fraud and tax evasion.
The indictment alleges that Cantrell used political influence with his former employer, the North Township trustee's office, to enrich himself and fraudulently provide health insurance for two people, ultimately diverting about $150,000 between 1999 and 2004.
The allegations center around Cantrell's dealings with township contractor Nancy Fromm, who owned Hammond-based Addiction and Family Care and has publicly admitted to paying Cantrell a "referral fee" for township business.
Prosecutors say Cantrell failed to disclose the profitable conflict of interest on mandatory reporting forms.
Sources familiar with the investigation have said Cantrell also got Fromm to put his adult children, John and Jennifer, on her company's health insurance plan even though they were not her employees.
The indictment did not specifically identify them by name, and they have not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Fromm, 66, is expected to testify against Cantrell. She has already pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and tax evasion, and her sentencing hearing has been rescheduled until after Cantrell's trial on March 31.
Hot races give rise to claims of 'political shenanigans'
POLITICS: Lake county government incumbents face a rush of late challengers
NWI Times
Feb 23, 2008
nwitimes.com/news/local/hot-races-give-rise-to-claims-of-political-shenanigans/article_aa045dc1-f5ba-5483-ac53-13c00adc62c1.html
CROWN POINT | The cry of dirty politics went up Friday as Lake County candidate filings closed.
County Surveyor George Van Til said he watched as several little-known Democrats filed into the elections office within 37 minutes to run against him.
Van Til has found himself in one of the most crowded races for county office. Eight candidates will compete for the voters' favor in the May 6 primary.
Van Til already has been attacked by challenger Philip Gavrilos for abusing the county's public vehicle and fuel policies by lending a county truck to his son and pumping county gasoline into his private vehicle late last year.
Van Til, who is running for another term, has apologized for the vehicle and gasoline controversy and said his office has been praised by the Good Government Initiative study.
Four Democrats are challenging County Commissioner Fran DuPey for her 3rd District seat, including Oscar Sanchez, who said Friday he is the victim of same-name candidate tactics.
Oscar Sanchez said in a written statement to the media, "It's apparent the candidacy of Juan Sanchez is yet another example of the political shenanigans of political operatives the likes of Robert Cantrell as he tries to win another election by confusing Democrats going to the polls in May. Don't be fooled."
Juan Sanchez couldn't be reached Friday for comment. Robert Cantrell, a longtime East Chicago political activist, said Friday many political incumbents regularly blame him for putting "splitter" candidates into races. Cantrell long has been associated with encouraging candidates with the same or similar names as political rivals to run on those ballots.
Cantrell also awaits trial in Hammond federal court on 11 fraud and tax evasion charges.
"I don't know who they are talking about, but anybody has the right to vote," Cantrell said. "I like to encourage young people to get involved in politics. It's the American way."
Eight Democrats are vying for the county coroner's office, including Thomas Philpot, who previously served as county coroner for eight years, and Daniel Bade, a dentist who is expected to win support of county officials who are antagonistic to Philpot.
Term limits prevent incumbent Coroner David Pastrick from running this year.
County Commissioner Gerry Scheub faces opposition from Thomas Shanahan, a retired steelworker and Cedar Lake minister.
County Recorder Mike Brown is being challenged by Merrillville Town Councilman Andrew Sylwestrowicz and Mike "The Waiter" White, of Lowell. White has run unsuccessfully for Lowell town judge, coroner and county commissioner.
