09022015 - News Article - Food pantry focus of early testimony in Soderquist trial

Food pantry focus of early testimony in Soderquist trial

NWI Times

September 02, 2015 - 2:00 PM

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/food-pantry-focus-of-early-testimony-in-soderquist-trial/article_df4e83c1-a2df-55e5-9a9d-77a0b9161832.html

HAMMOND | Officials involved in the establishment and initial operation of the Lake Station Food Pantry were the first witnesses to testify Wednesday in the trial of Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist, and his wife, Deborah, on federal charges of improperly using money from the food pantry and his campaign fund.

According to the government, it wasn't until Soderquist and his wife, took over the operation of the food pantry, that and a debit card was obtained for the account. The couple are accused of using ATM cards to withdraw money from the campaign fund and food pantry prior to going gambling at area casinos.

Wednesday morning, Shirley Wadding, who was mayor when the food pantry was established, testified that a checking account was established to handle monetary donations to the pantry during her tenure. She and others involved in the operation at the time said they didn't see a need to have a debit card and that checks were written to obtain food that wasn't donated to the pantry.

The Soderquists face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, seven counts of wire fraud, and three counts of false filing. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines on each wire fraud charge. The pair are expected to contend money taken from his campaign fund and Lake Station's food pantry were reimbursement for money owed to them.

The Soderquists are represented by Scott King and attorney Lakeisha Murdaugh. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Kolar and Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson represent the government.

The government's indictment against the couple alleges that between spring 2010 and December 2012, the Soderquists were improperly taking funds from the campaign fund and food pantry fund at the same time they were losing $104,000 at region casinos.

In a three-year span, the couple are alleged to have taken $18,500 from the election campaign account before going gambling at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Mich. The indictment also contends the pair at one point in July 2011 had a check issued from Lake Station to the Food Pantry account. Later, $300 was withdrawn from the account and about two hours later the pair were allegedly gambling at Four Winds Casino.

The Lake Station Food Pantry received private donations as well as donations from the city and the Indiana State Department of Health.

Kolar said the Soderquists funded their gambling with money donated to their campaign and the food pantry. He said the couple withdrew donated money from an automatic teller machine within 24 hours of going gambling more than 50 times.