Court records: Lake County sheriff Buncich trial could take 'up to four weeks'
NWI Times
Jul 21, 2017
HAMMOND — Lake County Sheriff John Buncich is set to go to trial Aug. 7.
Buncich faces six counts of wire fraud and bribery alleging he corruptly used his authority over towing contracts to enrich himself by soliciting and accepting $34,500 in cash and campaign contributions.
Buncich is pleading not guilty.
During a pre-trial conference, counsel for both parties sought four additional juror alternates, noting the trial could take "up to four weeks," according to documents filed Friday.
Court records note that both parties are "cooperating well in exchanging information for trial."
William Szarmach, who operated CSA Towing in Lake Station, is accused in a single bribery count of paying $9,500 to Buncich in 2015 and last year.
Timothy Downs, who served as second-in-command to Buncich, already has pleaded guilty to federal allegations he collected towing firm kickbacks and is prepared to testify he did it under Buncich's orders.
Buncich's trial is set for 8 a.m. Aug. 7 before Senior Judge James T. Moody.
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