Commissioner Evans seeking reimbursement for fed investigation
NWI Times
UPDATED - December 06, 2016
VALPARAISO — The long-brewing federal investigation into various local units of government boiled over Tuesday among officials in Porter County.
The Porter County Council tabled a request Tuesday night from Porter County Commissioner President John Evans, R-North, to be reimbursed $5,000 for his legal costs associated with the investigation.
Earlier in the day, Porter County Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, issued a statement calling on Portage Mayor James Snyder to resign following his indictment last month on federal public corruption charges.
Snyder wrote a guest column that appeared in Tuesday's issue of The Times maintaining his innocence.
"My conduct has never violated the law," he wrote.
Porter County Council President Dan Whitten, D-at-large, said he learned about Evans' request after noticing the unspecified item on Tuesday's council meeting agenda.
Whitten said he spoke with council attorney Harold Harper, who confirmed that the law allows Evans and other elected officials to request reimbursement. The county has the option of paying as long as it's confirmed the investigation is over and no indictment is coming, he said.
Whitten asked Harper to inquire about the status of the investigation with federal officials and report back to the group in January. Evans, who did not seek re-election, leaves office at the end of this month.
Evans, who had attended another county government meeting immediately prior to the council's session Tuesday night, did not stick around to watch the fate of his request.
When contacted following the council meeting, he referred to the state code involving reimbursements.
In response to a question from Rivas, Commissioner attorney Scott McClure, who represented Evans during the council meeting, said he did not believe the commissioners have provided any reimbursement on their own to Evans.
A call to step down
Rivas kicked off Tuesday's council meeting by reading the statement he released earlier in the day calling on Snyder to step down.
Rivas said Snyder has "broken the public's trust."
He cites several ongoing projects, such as drainage issues along Willowcreek Road, consideration of a new North County Government Complex, allowing Portage to bring their stray animals to the new Porter County Animal Shelter and a new public radio system — between the county and the city — as reasons for Snyder to resign.
"There’s a lot going on that we need to partner with the city. ... I don’t know how anyone can do that with a guy under indictment," Rivas said.
"I think we pride ourselves on quality of life, good government, and this flies in the face of it," Rivas said.
Snyder was charged last month before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry on counts of felony bribery, extortion and tax dodging, which carry long prison terms if he is convicted. He pleaded not guilty.
Whitten said Snyder, like all citizens, deserves his day in court, and he hopes the allegations are not true.
But, if the allegations are true, and only Snyder knows for certain, he should resign, Whitten said.
Whitten said elected officials are trusted by the public to conduct the public's business.
"If you're committing public corruption, you betray that trust, and you should resign," Whitten said.
Portage City Council President Mark Oprisko, D-at large, said he has and will continue to work with Rivas and Whitten on issues like the North County Complex and animal shelter.
"I won’t let (the) mayor's indictment get in the way of our dialogue with the county," Oprisko said.
Oprisko called the indictment an "unfortunate situation," but said Snyder deserves his day in court.
"I’m just trying to move the city forward as best we can," Oprisko said. "I’m not going to drop the ball with county.”
Porter County Republican Chairman Michael Simpson said Snyder deserves his day in court and should remain in office.
"I see no reason for Mayor Snyder to resign," Simpson said.
"I don’t know why the County Council can’t work with Mayor Snyder," he said, suggesting Rivas concentrate his efforts on council financial issues instead of Snyder's legal problems.
Portage City Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, said he disagrees with Rivas' idea that it will be difficult to work with the city on these ongoing projects.
He said members of the City Council and County Council need to worry about the residents of Portage, "and to do the best we can for them."
Cannon declined to comment on whether Snyder should resign.
Snyder did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
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