Soderquist trial start delayed until Aug. 31
NWI Times
March 24, 2015 - 8:00 pm
March 24, 2015 - 8:00 pm
HAMMOND | A federal court granted Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist and his wife, Deborah, a third and likely final delay in their federal corruption trial this week.
The Soderquists have pleaded not guilty to an 11-count indictment accusing them of improperly using money from the mayor’s re-election campaign and the city’s food pantry and spending it at local casinos. They also are accused of knowing the mayor's stepdaughter, Miranda Brakley, took at least $5,000 from the Lake Station City Court and helped prevent her apprehension by police.
The Soderquists, who face charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, accessory to theft and tax evasion, are now set for an Aug. 31 trial before U.S. District Court Judge Rudy Lozano. The Soderquists have until five days before trial to submit a plea agreement, court documents stated.
They had been scheduled to go on trial April 27. In a filing from defense attorney Scott King, Mayor Soderquist contended the trial date was one week before the mayor election in Lake Station, and there has been insufficient time to prepare a defense while campaigning for office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson formally objected to delaying the trial.
Lake Station Democrats Robert Gutzmer and Ray Ostrander are challenging Soderquist, who is seeking a third term in office. Also running is Christopher Anderson, who stepped down after seven years as Lake Station city judge in a bid for mayor.
Anderson played a role in starting the federal investigation when he reported the theft of city court bond money to state authorities and fired the mayor's stepdaughter in 2012. He is likely to be called as a witness in the case, court documents stated.
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