Buying Lake County sheriff's fundraiser tickets 'only way to stay in towing,' operator says
Chicago Tribune
August 11, 2017
The manager of a Gary towing business told a jury Friday that he was never pressured to buy fundraiser tickets for Lake County Sheriff John Buncich but thought it was necessary.
"Only way to stay in towing," said Kay Williams, of Bennie's Towing.
Several Lake County tow operators testified during the fifth day of Buncich's trial that they saw their towing area shrink, a chunk of their work being shifted to Samson's Towing, owned by Scott Jurgensen, and C.S.A. Towing, owned by William Szarmach. Federal prosecutors say bribes paid by Jurgensen, who was cooperating with the FBI, and Szarmach helped them secure more territory in Gary and New Chicago.
Williams said he never lost towing territory but had to start sharing his area with C.S.A Towing.
Williams said a Lake County officer would show up selling tickets.
"You had to purchase 10 tickets and that's it," Williams said.
Defense attorney Larry Rogers asked Williams if he was ever told that if he didn't buy tickets, he wouldn't get tows.
"No," Williams said.
Stanley Bell Sr., of S and S Sales and Service in East Chicago, said his towing territory got moved around and started noticing other companies in his area. Bell said he'd call Buncich if he had trouble.
Bell said he's purchased some fundraiser tickets but didn't do it all the time.
"I'm a Democrat, OK," Bell said, and he thinks people should buy tickets to support candidates who can put the party on track.
"Never no push on me about buying tickets," Bell said.
During testimony at Buncich's trial, federal authorities said Buncich used his influence to help secure towing operations for Szarmach and Jurgensen at Indiana University Northwest in Gary and the city of New Chicago.
Kevin Gaskin, of Tow Central in Lake Station, said he shared tow operations in New Chicago for more than 20 years until about a year ago when Jurgensen took over the entire territory.
Gaskin said he also had towing jobs at IUN but C.S.A. Towing rejoined the list after being removed several years ago.
Defense attorney Bryan Truitt questioned FBI Special Agency Nathan Holbrook, who talked about the sheriff using his influence to get Szarmach and Jurgensen towing jobs in IUN and New Chicago,
There's nothing illegal about making a call to a friend, Truitt asked.
"No," Holbrook said.
Truitt noted that Buncich doesn't have any authority to make decisions about towing at IUN or in New Chicago.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson asked Holbrook about undercover recordings where Szarmach talked to Buncich about getting towing work at IUN and to put in a request on his behalf.
Benson asked if Szarmach got that work.
"Yes," Holbrook said.
Jurgensen had half of the New Chicago work, Benson said, and talked to Buncich about getting all of it.
"Did he get all of it?" Benson asked.
"Yes," Holbrook said.
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