10142017 - Life in the UP - Photography therapy after surviving corrupt Porter County Indiana

Yes, I will admit, that after seven years, I still have moments where I break down when I think of what I was subjected to in Porter County - especially the horrific deaths of Abbi Mae and Bailey Su.

But finally after returning home, the PTSD has finally subsided enough that I can go out and get lost in my photography:

10132017 - News Article - EDITORIAL: New federal prosecutor setting right tone in first days on the job

EDITORIAL: New federal prosecutor setting right tone in first days on the job 
NWI Times
The Times Editorial Board
Oct 13, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-new-federal-prosecutor-setting-right-tone-in-first-days/article_d3deb57f-a433-520e-bea0-896507480d4f.html

New Hammond-based U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II has big shoes to fill in continuing the office's tradition of battling public corruption and violent street gangs.

On Tuesday, about 36 hours after being sworn into office, Kirsch began giving clear public signs he's up to the task.

Speaking to a lunch gathering of the Crown Point Rotary Club, Kirsch vowed to make white collar crime — most notably, government corruption cases in Northwest Indiana — a top priority.

This mirrors a needed check and balance on a plague of public corruption, against which the U.S. attorney's office has won more than 70 felony convictions since the 1980s.

Kirsch, a Munster native and Schererville resident, has the pedigree to prove it.

Though he most recently was a Chicago-based attorney, including presiding over federal criminal defense cases, Kirsch also is a former longtime assistant U.S. attorney with the Hammond office.

During that time, one of his prime focuses was the prosecution of public corruption cases. In fact, as he noted at the Rotary luncheon Tuesday, the last public corruption indictment he won before leaving the office came in 2008 against politically connected Gary businessman Jewell Harris.

Harris ultimately was convicted of fraud and money-laundering charges for double-billing Gary during the 2001 construction of the U.S. Steel Yard baseball stadium.

Beyond Kirsch's proven pedigree in prosecuting public corruption is an apparent strong ethical compass.

After Tuesday's luncheon, Times Editorial Page Editor Marc Chase asked Kirsch how his office planned to handle the prosecution of indicted Portage Mayor James Snyder going forward.

Snyder faces a January trial for felony bribery and tax-related charges.

Until recently, Kirsch had been the retained private defense attorney for Snyder. Now he heads the office prosecuting his former client.

Kirsch had the correct response to Chase's question.

"I don't know how the office is handling it, and I don't want to know," he said. Kirsch has completely recused himself from any and all actions involving the case.

It's the right thing to do in an important Region criminal prosecution.

Kirsch has set a tone of ethics that should serve as an example for other government offices throughout our Region.

We wish him well as he seeks to continue a strong tradition of justice, which often is one of the only meaningful checks on our local systems of government.

10112017 - News Article - New U.S. attorney for Northern Indiana says public corruption 'a significant priority'

New U.S. attorney for Northern Indiana says public corruption 'a significant priority' 
NWI Times
Oct 11, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/new-u-s-attorney-for-northern-indiana-says-public-corruption/article_729f329b-26c6-5d0f-a085-56d596997060.html

About 36 hours after being sworn in as the Region's new U.S. attorney, Thomas L. Kirsch II told a Crown Point civic group public corruption will remain a big target in his office's crosshairs.

Kirsch spoke to a lunch gathering of the Crown Point Rotary on Wednesday, talking about what his office has done in the past and will continue to do "as long as I'm U.S. attorney."

Kirsch said prosecution of public corruption has been a significant priority in the Region and "will absolutely continue to be."

Although the U.S. attorney's office is particularly suited to tackle white-collar crimes, including public corruption, Kirsch said 50 percent of the Hammond-based office's cases involve violent crime.

Kirsch said one of his priorities will be an enhanced version of a 2001 U.S. Department of Justice initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods — a comprehensive gun and gang violence reduction program. The initiative "vigorously" prosecutes crimes in the most violent locations and targets the most violent offenders, he said.

Kirsch said his office will continue to prosecute firearms cases — mostly involving felons arrested in possession of firearms.

"Last year we prosecuted almost 150 federal firearms cases," he said. "That's a lot."

Kirsch said drug cases make up 25 percent of their workload. About 50 percent of those involve heroin, while 30 percent are methamphetamine related, he said.

Kirsch, of Schererville, grew up in Munster and attended Indiana University and, later, Harvard Law School.

Kirsch served as an assistant U.S. attorney here from 2001 to '08. He focused on white-collar investigations and prosecutions, including the prosecution of numerous elected and appointed public officials.

Kirsch said the last public corruption indictment over which he presided before leaving the office was that of Jewell Harris Sr., a politically connected Gary resident who was convicted of fraud and money laundering during a 2008 trial. Harris' charges included a double-billing scheme to overcharge the city of Gary during the 2001 construction of the U.S. Steel Yard baseball stadium.

Kirsch practiced law in Chicago until the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment last week.

In private practice, one of Kirsch's clients was indicted Portage Mayor James Snyder, who faces trial in January on federal bribery and tax-related charges. 

Following Wednesday's luncheon, Kirsch told The Times he would be completely divorced from the office's handling of Snyder's ongoing prosecution to avoid any conflicts of interest. 

"I don't know how the office is handling it, and I don't want to know," he said. 

President Donald Trump nominated Kirsch in July to oversee criminal prosecutions for the U.S. District offices of Hammond, South Bend, Fort Wayne and Lafayette. The U.S. District of Northern Indiana comprises 32 counties.

10102017 - News Article - Thomas Kirsch II is sworn into office as U.S. Attorney for Northern Indiana

Thomas Kirsch II is sworn into office as U.S. Attorney for Northern Indiana 
NWI Times
Oct 10, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/thomas-kirsch-ii-is-sworn-into-office-as-u-s/article_b3088f01-d567-5717-9d92-71d261728ef5.html

HAMMOND — Thomas L. Kirsch II officially started work Tuesday as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen administered the oath of office to Kirsch early Tuesday in Van Bokkelen's courtroom in Hammond.

Van Bokkelen hired Kirsch as an assistant U.S. Attorney in 2001, a few months after VanBokkelen himself was sworn into office as U.S. Attorney. VanBokkelen left in 2007 to become a federal judge.

Kirsch is a Schererville resident who practiced law in Chicago until the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment last week.

President Donald Trump nominated Kirsch in July to oversee criminal prosecutions for the U.S. District offices of Hammond, South Bend, Fort Wayne and Lafayette. The U.S. District of Northern Indiana comprises 32 counties.

Kirsch replaces Clifford Johnson, who has been serving as acting U.S. attorney since former U.S. Attorney David Capp's departure in March. Kirsch served as an assistant U.S. attorney here from 2001 to 2008. He focused on white collar investigations and prosecutions, including the prosecution of numerous elected and appointed public officials.

He received his bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1996 in economics and political science, with honors, and a law degree from Harvard University.

10062017 - News Article - Portage Mayor James Snyder chooses Indianapolis attorney to represent him in federal case - Statement from Portage Mayor James Snyder

Portage Mayor James Snyder chooses Indianapolis attorney to represent him in federal case - Statement from Portage Mayor James Snyder
NWI Times
October 06, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-james-snyder-chooses-indianapolis-attorney-to-represent-him/article_9f885a46-1616-511b-b550-cb33b8330328.html

Statement from Portage Mayor James Snyder, who has been indicted on federal bribery and tax charges. His trial is set to begin in January: 
"There are distinct differences between the two cases, I have never taken cash; all of contributions are recorded accurately and holding an elected official accountable for the intent of a donor would indict all elected officials who are not independently wealthy and have to raise funds to get their message out.

The prosecutor's own arguments against the sheriff prove my defense and in no way complicated my case; it enforces my innocence.

I have been transparent, cooperative and honorable in my conduct with the federal government. My family, my staff and the City continue to prosper under this cloud and we are grateful to the outpouring of goodness we have received."

10062017 - News Article - Portage Mayor James Snyder chooses Indianapolis attorney to represent him in federal case

Portage Mayor James Snyder chooses Indianapolis attorney to represent him in federal case
NWI Times
10062017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-james-snyder-chooses-indianapolis-attorney-to-represent-him/article_9f885a46-1616-511b-b550-cb33b8330328.html

PORTAGE — Mayor James Snyder has named an Indianapolis attorney to take over as lead attorney in his defense in his federal corruption case.

Jackie M. Bennett Jr., of Taft Stettinius & Hollister, will replace Thomas L. Kirsch II as Snyder's new attorney, according to documents filed in federal court. Kirsch was confirmed earlier this week as the next U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.

Snyder, a Republican in his second term, was indicted in November 2016 on charges of bribery, extortion and tax evasion. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial, which is set to begin in Hammond district court on Jan. 29.

According to Bennett's biography on the Taft Stettinius & Hollister website, Bennett represents individuals and corporations in cases expected to go to trial.

"His practice concentrates in the areas of commercial, civil and white-collar criminal litigation, as well as regulatory investigations by state and federal agencies. Jackie has experience and expertise in matters involving internal corporate investigations, corporate governance, securities regulation, foreign corrupt practices, patent infringement, environmental crimes and an array of contract and business tort actions," according to the website.

Prior to entering private practice in Indianapolis, Bennett was a federal prosecutor for 14 years. He served in the Office of Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr from 1995 to 1999, the last two years as the principal deputy in charge of the OIC’s Washington, D.C., operations, supervising day-to-day operations, according to the website.

He served as senior advisor to Starr on investigative and prosecutorial aspects of several matters, including the impeachment referral of former U.S. President William Clinton. In that regard, he was one of three prosecutors selected by Starr to conduct the grand jury questioning of Clinton. Bennett also played a principal role in several trials during the Arkansas phase of the Whitewater investigation, including the 1996 fraud and conspiracy trial resulting in the convictions of Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker and former Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan owners Jim and Susan McDougal, according to the website.

Requests for comment from Snyder and Bennett were not immediately returned Friday morning.

10062017 - News Article - Indicted Indiana mayor hires ex-Clinton prosecutor as lawyer

Indicted Indiana mayor hires ex-Clinton prosecutor as lawyer
WNDU-TV
October 06, 2017
http://www.wndu.com/content/news/Indicted-Indiana-mayor-hires-ex-Clinton-prosecutor-as-lawyer-449837683.html

PORTAGE, Ind. (AP) - A northwestern Indiana mayor facing federal bribery charges has hired as his new defense attorney a former top prosecutor in the 1990s investigation of President Bill Clinton.

Indianapolis lawyer Jackie Bennett Jr. is now representing Republican Portage Mayor James Snyder. Bennett was a top deputy to Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, whose investigation led to Clinton's impeachment over the cover-up of his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

The Northwest Indiana Times reports Snyder had been represented since his November 2016 indictment by Thomas Kirsch II, who won Senate confirmation this week as the new U.S. attorney for northern Indiana.

Snyder is charged with accepting money in exchange for towing contracts in his Porter County city. Snyder denies any wrongdoing and has a trial scheduled to begin in January.

10042017 - News Article - Senate confirms new U.S. attorney for Indiana's northern district

Senate confirms new U.S. attorney for Indiana's northern district
Post Tribune
October 04, 2017
chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-new-us-attorney-confirmed-st-1005-20171004-story.html
The U.S. Senate has confirmed a Schererville attorney as the new U.S. attorney for Indiana's northern district.

Thomas Kirsch II, most recently a partner at Winston and Strawn, LLP., in Chicago was confirmed as the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana by the Senate Tuesday, according to Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind. Kirsch will fill the vacancy left by former U.S. Attorney David Capp, who led the Northern District for 8 years.

Before joining Winston and Strawn, Kirsch was an assistant U.S. attorney and worked in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Policy. Kirsch attended Indiana University and Harvard Law School.

Kirsch currently represents Portage Mayor James Snyder, who was indicted in November on corruption charges, according to court records.

Capp, who worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office for more than 30 years, submitted his resignation in March per the request of President Donald Trump's administration, even though he planned to retire in June, according to a press release. Trump nominated Kirsch in July.

Clifford Johnson, a first assistant U.S. attorney, has served as the interim U.S. attorney.

The Senate last week confirmed Joshua Minkler, of Zionsville, to serve as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

10032017 - News Article - Senate OKs Thomas L. Kirsch II as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana

Senate OKs Thomas L. Kirsch II as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana
NWI Times
Oct 3, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/senate-oks-thomas-l-kirsch-ii-as-u-s-attorney/article_2f2e7534-33dd-5436-b75d-da6a6b6690e0.html
HAMMOND — The U.S. Senate confirmed Thomas L. Kirsch II on Tuesday night as the next U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana.

The Senate Judiciary Committee last week endorsed Kirsch's nomination, a Schererville resident with law offices in Chicago, Jay Kenworthy, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., said.

Kenworthy said Kirsch was confirmed with a voice vote by the full Senate.

Senators Todd Young and Joe Donnelly issued a joint statement Wednesday afternoon applauding Kirsch's confirmation.

"Tom is a well-qualified attorney who has garnered broad support from both sides of the aisle. He approaches the law thoughtfully and will bring a wealth of experience to this role. He will serve Hoosiers in the Northern District well," they stated.

President Donald Trump nominated Kirsch II in July to oversee criminal prosecutions for the U.S. District offices of Hammond, South Bend, Fort Wayne and Lafayette. The U.S. District of Northern Indiana comprises 32 counties.

Kirsch repalces Clifford Johnson, who has been serving as acting U.S. attorney since former U.S. Attorney David Capp's departure in March.

Kirsch is a partner with the Chicago law firm of Winston & Strawn LLP, where his practice focuses on litigation and investigations.

Kirsch served as an assistant U.S. attorney here from 2001 to 2008. He focused on white collar investigations and prosecutions, including the prosecution of numerous elected and appointed public officials.

He received his bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1996 in economics and political science, with honors, and a law degree from Harvard University.

Kirsch was still listed as one of two defense lawyers representing Portage Mayor James Snyder, who faces federal bribery charges he solicited money from a local businessman to put him on the city's towing list.

Kirsch appeared with Snyder at his initial court hearing and arraignment Nov. 18. Snyder, a Republican in his second term as mayor of the largest city in Porter County, is pleading not guilty and awaiting trial, now scheduled to begin Jan. 29.