07032012 - News Article - Prosecutors oppose former politician's request to set aside some of his criminal convictions - ROBERT CANTRELL

Prosecutors oppose former politician's request to set aside some of his criminal convictions
NWI Times
Jul 3, 2012
nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/prosecutors-oppose-former-politician-s-request-to-set-aside-some/article_e0046cd4-bb5d-5d48-bec0-763422664f89.html
HAMMOND | The U.S. attorney's office disputes longtime region politico Robert Cantrell's contention that some of his criminal convictions should be set aside, federal court records filed this week show.

"The facts of his case so strongly establish a kickback scheme that Cantrell cannot win, no matter what argument he attempts," the government stated in its 55-page response to Cantrell's motion to set aside four of his 11 fraud-related convictions.

A Hammond federal court jury found the former North Township supervisor guilty in 2008. In 2009, Cantrell was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for using his position in public office to steer contracts to a counseling company in exchange for money.

A jury also found him guilty of insurance fraud for "deceptively procuring" township-funded health insurance coverage for two of his children, filing false income tax returns and other offenses.

Cantrell was ordered to repay the $68,000 he took from North Township through contract fraud, court records show.

In a petition filed earlier this year, Cantrell's attorney, Paul Stracci, asked the court to set aside Cantrell's four honest services fraud convictions and to recalculate his sentences for insurance fraud and false tax returns, court records state. Stracci argued Cantrell had ineffective assistance both at trial and on appeal.