10082015 - News Article - Soderquists get new judge for second criminal trial

Soderquists get new judge for second criminal trial

NWI Times

October 08, 2015 6:05 pm 

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/soderquists-get-new-judge-for-second-criminal-trial/article_4a0ba7d3-0965-57ca-87da-af81462508ec.html

HAMMOND | Former Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist and his wife had their petition granted for a different judge in their upcoming second criminal trial.

Keith and Deborah Soderquist claimed in court documents that U.S. District Court Judge Rudy Lozano fell asleep at times during their trial. A federal jury convicted the Soderquists on Sept. 11 of improperly using local food pantry and campaign funds to gamble at casinos. The Soderquists are seeking a retrial in that case on the basis they did not receive a fair trial.

Separately, the Soderquists and their daughter, Miranda Brakley, are to go to trial in November.

Brakley is charged with stealing money from the city of Lake Station when she worked as a court clerk, and the Soderquists are accused of helping her hide the crime. All three have pleaded not guilty.

Lozano voluntarily recused himself in the case. In court documents he makes no admission of falling asleep during the Soderquists’ trial. The case has been referred to Senior Judge Philip P. Simon.