11172017 - News Article - Ex-Merrillville councilman faces federal bribery charges

Ex-Merrillville councilman faces federal bribery charges
Chron
November 17, 2017 - 11:13AM
http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Ex-Merrillville-councilman-faces-federal-bribery-12365824.php
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Court records show that a former councilman for the northwest Indiana town of Merrillville faces federal bribery charges.

The Post-Tribune reports court documents unsealed Friday show 51-year-old Thomas Goralczyk of Merrillville was charged for soliciting bribes between February 2013 and February 2014 in exchange for awarding a towing contract during his time on the Merrillville Town Council.

Court documents say Goralczyk accepted two vehicles, four new camper tires and free motorcycle storage from someone identified as "Individual A" in exchange for the Merrillville contract. The case seeks forfeiture of the items that the 51-year-old Goralczyk is accused of accepting as bribes.

Goralczyk served on the council for two terms but lost a re-election bid in 2015. A message seeking comment left at a Merrillville phone listing for Goralczyk wasn't immediately returned.