Another plea deal expected in sheriff's bribery case
NWI Times
Jun 20, 2017
CROWN POINT — A Lake Station tow truck owner may plead guilty in the federal bribery case against Lake County Sheriff John Buncich.
A U.S. District Court record of a pre-trial hearing Tuesday states an attorney for William Szarmach told a federal judge he anticipates the likelihood of a plea agreement.
The court record doesn't provide any details of what a potential deal between Szarmach and the U.S. Attorney would look like. Defense attorney Daniel M. Purdom, of Lisle, Illinois, who represents Szarmach, declined to comment on the matter.
Six months earlier, Timothy Downs, the sheriff's former second-in-command, pleaded guilty to collecting Buncich's bribes on public time under an agreement to cooperate with federal prosecutors in return for a lenient sentence.
Szarmach currently is pleading not guilty to bribery and wire fraud counts alleging he paid the sheriff thousands of dollars for more lucrative towing business. He currently faces a lengthy prison term.
The U.S. Attorney's office alleges Szarmach owns and operates CSA Towing, on the 2500 block of Lake Station's DeKalb Street, which was one of several firms the sheriff approved to tow vehicles from public streets and highways for county police.
A federal grand jury indicted Buncich, Szarmach and Downs on Nov. 18, 2016.
Senior U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody held a hearing Tuesday for Buncich's and Szarmach's attorneys in preparation for a jury trial now scheduled to begin Aug. 7.
The court record indicates Buncich's attorneys stated they will go forward with the trial and present five to seven days of evidence in the sheriff's defense.
Buncich is pleading not guilty to allegations he solicited and received campaign contributions from towing firms seeking county business.
The court record indicates federal prosecutors estimate they will present five to seven days of evidence against the sheriff.
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