01262016 - News Article - Another judicial hopeful makes an appearance - ROBERT CANTRELL

Another judicial hopeful makes an appearance
NWI Times
Jan 26, 2016
nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/another-judicial-hopeful-makes-an-appearance/article_60212fc4-b0fb-599a-93a3-9fb07aa3de2b.html
CROWN POINT | A Hammond lawyer is exploring whether to run for Lake Circuit Court judge this spring.

Eduardo Fontanez Jr. said this week he is thinking about challenging Judge George C. Paras in the May 3 Democratic primary.

He has had a private practice since 2002. He served as an interim East Chicago city judge for nine months in 2003.

Paras is running for a second six-year term on the bench and currently is the only registered candidate.

Two others attorneys, Marissa McDermott and Roy Dominguez, have expressed interest in the job. Marissa McDermott is the wife of the Hammond mayor. Dominguez served two terms as county sheriff.

Dominguez said this week he believes Fontanez is being encouraged to run by political kingpin Robert "Bobby" Cantrell to split the Hispanic vote. "It's my understanding Eddie is considering running at the request of Bob Cantrell, in the event I run for judge."

Fontanez denied his possible candidacy is being influenced anything other than his desire to follow in the footsteps of former Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Arredondo. "He was like a mentor to me. I hope I can do well as he did."

Fontanez faced and denied a similar allegation when he ran against Lake Superior Court Judge Jesse Villalpando in 2006.

Villalpando claimed then that Fontanez's candidacy that year was inspired by Robert Cantrell in retaliation for Villalpando refusing to send more convicted traffic offenders to a consulting firm with ties to Cantrell.

A federal jury convicted Cantrell in 2008 of taking kickbacks between 2000 and 2004 from contracts between his then-employer, the North Township trustee's office, and the same counseling service. Cantrell finished serving his 78-month federal prison term a year ago.

Fontanez said Dominguez is only trying to smear his possible candidacy. Fontanez said he has rarely seen Robert Cantrell since Cantrell's return from prison.