02192018 - News Article - EDITORIAL: Put dirty politics back in the cage - ROBERT CANTRELL

EDITORIAL: Put dirty politics back in the cage
NWI Times
The Times Editorial Board 
February 19, 2018
http://www.nwitimes.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-put-dirty-politics-back-in-the-cage/article_66f78a02-02db-5681-bffa-6073af0d341a.html

Potshots fired with reckless abandon on social media are white noise, especially in our Region and the national political dialogue.

But when such shots are taken from the clandestine anonymity of a phony Facebook account — and high-ranking public officials and felonious political operatives are linked to it — a whole new level of dirty politics takes shape.

This past week in Region politics saw the apparent uncovering of such a scheme in what appears to be a new twist on old underhanded motives.

Voters and public officials who played no role in this nonsense should be shouting criticism from the highest ground.

The newest low in dirty Lake County politics can be found in an ongoing criminal investigation into the phony Facebook account that takes potshots and espouses falsehoods about various people, including sitting public officials.

Evidence recently turned over to the Indiana State Police shows a trail leading from the phony account to computer IDs and/or home addresses registered to the Schererville Police Chief and Lake County sheriff candidate David Dowling; convicted felon and Region political operative Robert Cantrell; the Crown Point Community School Corp.; Lake County coroner's investigator Gilbert Gutierrez and others.

Though much still is unknown, we hope if any responsible parties are found to have used taxpayer resources for such dirty political purposes, corrective action is taken.

Voters and other public officials can take their own corrective action by denouncing such behavior.

And it may amount to more than just a bad taste in our collective mouth.

Indiana State Police are weighing whether to probe if any criminal act occurred. Indiana law makes it a felony to assume a false identity online with the intent of doing damage to another individual.

Freedom of speech may not be a defense in this case, and it shouldn't be, at least from a moral standpoint. If individuals are going to criticize or even lampoon another person, they should have the courage and strength of conviction to do it in the sunlight, with their name attached — not from the darkness of a bogus social media account.

It seems a new whirlwind of dirty politics is whipping into a frenzy in our Region. We all must do our parts to usher dirty politics into a secure cage.

02152018 - Portage Mayor James Snyder's 2018 State of the City Address

02152018--Portage-Mayor-James-Snyder--2018-State-Of-The-City-Address

02152018 - News Article - Portage mayor touts staff, accomplishments

Portage mayor touts staff, accomplishments
NWI Times
Feb 15, 2018
http://www.nwitimes.com/portage-mayor-touts-staff-accomplishments/pdf_a1d5022c-0d3a-5b9b-9d4b-e64c6e4f7250.html

02152018--Portage-Mayor-James-Snyder--2018-State-Of-The-City-Address

02152018 - News Article - Portage mayor touts staff, accomplishments; says moving into year of courage

Portage mayor touts staff, accomplishments; says moving into year of courage
NWI Times
Feb 15, 2018
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-touts-staff-accomplishments-says-moving-into-year-of/article_3536d0cf-8759-5612-9eff-fe77fd6bdc56.html

PORTAGE — Mayor James Snyder touted the accomplishments of his administration, praised his staff for their work and took subtle digs at other elected city officials during his State of the City address Thursday.

Snyder also told the crowd at Woodland Park that 2018 would be the "year of courage." The luncheon was sponsored by the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce.

"Portage and its people have a way of working through struggles, seeing the very best in people and always coming out on top. 2018, the year of courage, will be another year that these successes take place," he said.

Snyder said the past year saw private business projects, such as the Holiday Inn Express, Hooters and Promenade at Founders Square, getting "sticks in the ground."

He praised state Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, for her "ingenious" sand replenishment legislation aimed at helping battling erosion at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk and announced the upcoming addition of Dombey Lake into the city's park system to provide critical infrastructure to attract "new, good, young families" to the city.

Snyder said the project he's most excited about is the Central Avenue West Project to be kicked off this year, which will be "a mini caricature of Meridian Road north of Indianapolis" with a lighted trail.

He also praised Mike and Mary Martinez for their efforts in raising money for the construction of Hannah's Hope Playground at Founders Square Park, named after their daughter.

"Because of your tragedy, because of your commitment, because of your courage and because of your Hannah, you have made Portage a better place," he said.

He also recognized mother/daughter duo Rosemary and Jessica Garneski who, last month, tackled a suspect in the theft of Jessica Garneski's car earlier in the day.

"There are just some cases we couldn't solve without the courage and tenacity of the Portage people," he said.

He called Portage High School student Kaylee Adams a "Portage star and pioneer," introducing her to the group. Adams won the first women's state wrestling championship.

"Kaylee, Portage is proud of you, your courage and your pioneer spirit," he said.

Snyder's speech was also peppered with subtle remarks about his continuing battle with the Democrat-dominant City Council/Utility Services Board.

Snyder told the audience his team will lead and "has looked past the derision and divisiveness." Speaking about the creation of a general services department, he told the group that inclusion of the utility department was "stalled because of the council take over of the USB."

He also told them the city will have the "courage to see past petty politics."

02152018 - News Article - Portage mayor facing federal corruption charges plans to still be mayor next year

Portage mayor facing federal corruption charges plans to still be mayor next year
Chicago Tribune
Feb 15, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-state-of-city-st-0216-20180215-story.html

Portage Mayor James Snyder delivered his sixth State of the City address Thursday and insisted his future as head of the city is bright and clear.

"I plan to be here again next year," Snyder said after his speech. "We've been saying all along I've done nothing wrong."

In November 2016, Snyder was indicted on multiple federal corruption charges. His trial has been continued twice, with a new date set for this June. Since the indictment, Snyder's first attorney, Thomas Kirsch Jr., has been appointed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, and Snyder was forced to find new counsel.

Several audience members said they appreciated Snyder's 2017 wrap-up and his plans for the coming year even if their forecasts were not as clear as the mayor's.

"I think the mayor did a great job recapping the successes of 2017 and laying out his vision for 2018 and recognizing all the achievements of the people who are providing services to the residents," said Ryan Smiley, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. "But, I think (the trial) causes everybody a bit of concern, just because of the uncertainty of the situation."

Retired steelworker John Arroyo, president of the Portage Athletic Boosters Club, said he was not aware of the details of Snyder's legal woes, "but, I'm absolutely concerned. I think (Snyder's) been pretty transparent about it, and he now has a new attorney, but we don't know where this is going to go.

"We wish (Snyder) well and hold him and all the other public leaders in prayer to do the right thing."

There were no city council members at the event. Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham, who, like Councilman John Cannon, D-4th, is eyeing the mayor's spot in the 2019 election cycle, also skipped the speech.

Unlike last year, when Snyder made brief comments before turning the podium over to his department heads, the mayor listed a number of business and social successes, like the development of Hannah's Hope Playground, what local officials have called the "first, truly all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities."

Snyder also spoke of the Promenade at Founders Square, a mixed-use retail and residential development towering over an area city leaders have been promoting as Portage's first real downtown center.

Snyder also touted the Central Avenue West project, a multi-stage remake of one of the city's main drags. Beginning at Willowcreek Road, the plan will upgrade the infrastructure, add roundabouts and add a lighted trail to the city's west side.

The mayor began and ended his comments by describing 2018 as the city's "year of courage."

"Portage is courage," Snyder said. "I, my staff, and the people serving you will make sure that this year is, again, one of the most successful years Portage has seen, and we will stand and be strong no matter what is thrown at us."

02132018 - News Article - Lake County sheriff says fake Facebook profile smearing public officials could be criminal, is clearly dirty politics - ROBERT CANTRELL

Lake County sheriff says fake Facebook profile smearing public officials could be criminal, is clearly dirty politics
NWI Times
February 13, 2018
nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/lake-county-sheriff-says-fake-facebook-profile-smearing-public-officials/article_3dfdc51d-9ae5-5bf5-9936-cdc6a91ee318.html

CROWN POINT — Lake County officials are calling on state police to investigate whether political attacks launched through an alleged fake Facebook account are a felony violation of state law.

Now Indiana State Police investigators are weighing whether they'll jump into the fray of alleged dirty politics that documents in the case link to one county sheriff's candidate and former police chief, a political operative and convicted felon, a coroner's investigator and a computer ID assigned to a local school district.

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. and Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter said they want an outside agency to expose a group of people suspected of conducting a smear campaign against Martinez and others running for election this year through a bogus Facebook profile.

The Times has learned an initial probe by county police turned up telecommunications records linking the attacks to the home of Schererville Police Chief David Dowling, a Democratic candidate for sheriff; the home of political activist and federally convicted felon Robert Cantrell; a computer ID associated with the Crown Point School Corp.; and the home of Gilbert Gutierrez, an investigator for the county coroner's office.

Subpoenaed documents in the case show computer signatures linked to those individuals also fed into the fake Facebook account, sources close to the investigation confirmed.

On Tuesday, Dowling denied any involvement in a social media campaign and accused Martinez of playing politics.

"I think this is a political scam by the sheriff," Dowling said. "If it was a real investigation, he would be contacting people, not the media. It is very disappointing."

Cantrell said, "I don't do Facebook, and I don't read Facebook."

Gutierrez did not return calls seeking comment.

Crown Point Community School Corp. released the following statement:

“Crown Point Community School Corporation has policies regarding the use of school equipment for private matters. We also provide an open guest network. If policies are actually violated, appropriate resolution will follow.”

'Jackie Sutton'
The subpoenaed documents, provided to The Times, are from an internet service provider and directly name Dowling and Gutierrez and show the address of Cantrell and a Crown Point schools computer ID.

In the case of two computer IDs linked to Cantrell's home address, his son John Cantrell, a Region attorney, is listed as the subscriber. But county records indicate Robert Cantrell owns the address from which the computer IDs originated.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., who was one of the Facebook targets, said this week, "The people involved should be exposed."

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said, "To the extent that this is America, we are governed by the First Amendment. I really don't worry about what people say. I just have to worry about what I do."

State Police Detective Joe White, of the Organized Crime and Corruption Section, said he is relaying the request for help in the Facebook case to the Indiana State Police superintendent's office, which must approve any such investigation.

The focus would involve a Facebook page in the name of Jackie Sutton. It features a photo of four middle-aged women, a profile with only a birth date of Dec. 7, 1976, and links to about 200 friends.

Martinez said he received and accepted a friend request from the Sutton page last year as a routine part of his election campaign.

"After a couple of months, I started noticing this Jackie Sutton started posting some very harmful and harsh statements against other individuals and elected officials," Martinez said. "The next thing I know, I started becoming part of her slanderous statements, not backed up by any facts."

'Intent to harm'
The Facebook page, which remains active, still features a score of postings that include statements like, "It's time to clean house," and "It's time to drain the swamp."

It also contains direct remarks against Martinez; U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky; the Gary, Hammond and East Chicago mayors; Lake County Auditor Peggy Katona; the Lake County Board of Commissioners and North Township Trustee Frank Mrvan, among others.

Martinez said, "One false statement was that I was part of the KKK and hated black people. That was (later) deleted," Martinez said.

The sheriff said he unfriended and blocked the Facebook page and advised others complaining about it to do the same — but still was called on to do more.

"They were still concerned how someone can do this and get away without any accountability," he said. "I pretty much told them I would have my investigators look at it and see if there are any laws that may be violated."

Martinez said state law does make it a Level 6 felony to use "synthetic identifying information with intent to harm or defraud another person."

He said they gathered evidence from Facebook and Comcast that Jackie Sutton was a pseudonym for an account used by several people posting from a number of different IP (internet protocol) addresses.

"It's a made-up person, a made-up date of birth," Martinez said. "They did get further evidence to show it's a group of people acting with intent to harm other people. These individuals are people involved in politics and professionals. They know what they are doing is wrong (because) some of the posts are starting to be deleted and taken down."

He said he quickly decided to consult with the prosecutor and state police to avoid any appearance of a conflict.

High-tech smear sheet
"To me this is a bunch of political nonsense," Dowling said. "Why aren't we talking about the issues? We aren't talking about the fact that after public corruption that tarnished our county, Oscar Martinez finds it appropriate to have $500 and $1,000 ticket fundraisers with donations listed from county vendors."

Treasurer Katona, who is running for re-election, said of the Facebook page, "It's dirty politics, and an anonymous way to lie."

She said she was heartened by others who posted support for her on the Facebook page.

Others said the Facebook attacks appear to be a higher tech version of photocopied smear sheets that political operatives place on car windshields.

"The only way to inoculate yourself from that is to be transparent and try to do everything you can right all the time," Mrvan said.

"This country lives off of Facebook," Robert Cantrell said. "People seem to get on there and think its freedom of speech, and they say what they want to say. Is that criminal?"

02092018 - News Article - Portrayal of campaign finance during Buncich trial prompts more detailed reporting

Portrayal of campaign finance during Buncich trial prompts more detailed reporting
Chicago Tribune
February 09, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-campaign-finance-post-buncich-st-0204-20180210-story.html

As Lake County Councilman Dan Dernulc prepared his annual campaign finance report, he made sure he accounted for every dollar.

Dernulc, R-Highland and also chairman of the Lake County Republican Central Committee, said he routinely lists every contribution he receives for his campaign committee, but the lengthy days of discussion of campaign finance during the trial of former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich prompted him to be more detailed than normal.

"This year I even went a step further," Dernulc said.

Dernulc said he wants to be transparent and marked down every contribution, even those under the $100 threshold for reporting.

"Everybody is on the list," Dernulc said.

Buncich's campaign finance reports were scrutinized during his trial and federal prosecutors questioned cash donations, county vendor donations and pointed out anomalies in reporting.

Dernulc said Buncich's trial showed that candidates need to be forthright and honest.

"If you get contributions, make sure it's out there," Dernulc said.

Elected officials are held to a higher standard, Dernulc said, and if people think they're not going to get caught, they will.

"I think it makes it better for everybody to see who is donating," Dernulc said.

James Wieser, chairman of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee, said he's not aware of any major impact on how candidates filed their reports but he knows staff at the Board of Elections and Voter Registration has made themselves more available for advice.

Wieser said he's always told candidates and officials they should always be honest with campaign activities and filings.

You need to comply with Indiana law," Wieser said.

During Buncich's August trial, federal prosecutors sought to show how the former top cop's campaign finance practices raised questions.

Buncich was convicted in August for using his office to solicit bribes from tow operators, often in the former of campaign fundraiser tickets. Judge James Moody in January sentenced Buncich to more than 15 years in prison.

The former sheriff's defense attorneys said Buncich was conducting legitimate campaign fundraising and not soliciting bribes. Buncich has maintained his innocence and plans to appeal the conviction.

Bryan Truitt, one of Buncich's defense attorneys, said the case showed that if someone wanted to run for public office, they'd better finance a campaign themselves.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson, during the trial, questioned the sheriff on why he had his staff soliciting fundraising tickets from tow operators and other county vendors.

Given the sheriff's ethical obligations, Benson asked if he saw a problem with the people he supervised going to sell campaign fundraiser tickets to county vendors.

"It's no different than any other office in Lake County," Buncich said during his testimony. "Every elected official in Lake County does it."

Throughout Buncich's 14-day trial, towing company operators testified they bought the fundraising tickets willingly but others said they felt they needed to make the purchases to keep doing business with the Sheriff's Department.

Defense attorney Larry Rogers said during the trial witnesses testified that selling and buying campaign tickets is not a crime.

"In this instance, the government is trying to make it seem like it's illegal," Rogers said, during the trial.

Wieser said he thinks officeholders account for donations from vendors appropriately and don't consider anything received as a quid pro quo.

Candidates should avoid the appearance of impropriety, Wieser said, but receiving donations from vendors isn't necessarily a violation of law. Wieser said as long as officials are following laws around bids and transparency, they won't be doing anything wrong.

Dernulc said he thinks there's a mindset that if a donor gives to a campaign they'll get something back.

"It doesn't work that way," Dernulc said.

Contributors should make donations for good government, Dernulc said, and not for what's good for them.

"They should not expect anything from you," Dernulc said.

02012018 - News Article - Loans from former sheriff Buncich leave campaign committees in limbo

Loans from former sheriff Buncich leave campaign committees in limbo
Chicago Tribune
Feb 1, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-campaign-committee-buncich-loan-st-0202-20180201-story.html

Debt owed to convicted former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich have left campaign committees in limbo.

Carrie Castro, a former Democratic judicial candidate and Merrillville attorney, asked the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration about closing her campaign committee but an outstanding loan from the former sheriff is holding that up. The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is in a similar situation.

Michelle Fajman, director of the Lake County Board of Elections and Voter registration, said if a campaign committee has an outstanding loan from an individual that person has to sign off saying the amount has been forgiven.

Once a campaign committee has no debt owed by it, debt owed to it or available funds, it can be closed out, Fajman said.

"All three of those lines must be at zero," Fajman said.

Castro's campaign committee is left in limbo because of a $3,500 personal loan from Buncich to her 2016 primary bid that either needs to be forgiven, requiring the former sheriff's signature, or repaid. Until outstanding debt is resolved or forgiven, candidates cannot disband their campaign committees, according to the Lake County Board of Elections and Voter Registration.

Castro was unavailable for comment Thursday. Her committee isn't the only political organizations with outstanding loans from Buncich.

The Lake County Democratic Central Committee reported $6,400 in loans it owed to Buncich Boosters, according to the 2016 campaign finance report. The Lake County Democratic Central Committee hasn't filed its 2017 finance report that would show if any of that amount was repaid last year.

Buncich is currently at the Metropolitan Correction Center, a federal holding facility in Chicago, while he waits his transfer to another prison to serve a 15-year and eight-month sentence after being convicted in August of bribery and wire fraud.

Fajman said the board recently worked with a candidate who sought to close his campaign committee but needed loan forgiveness signatures. Fajman said he had loans dating back to 2000 and had to get signed letters from the individuals before the board would consider the loans forgiven.

Castro could keep the committee open for the year, Fajman said, and try to get a resolution to the loan issue.

Castro ran in the 2016 Democratic primary for circuit court judge against then-incumbent George Peras and Marissa McDermott. McDermott ultimately won the primary and general election.

Castro had previously run for Lake Station city judge.

During 2017, Castro didn't raise a cent or spend one, according to her annual report.

The former judicial candidate has in $90.37 in the bank, according to the report, and $5,096.60 in outstanding debt. Castro's campaign committee owes her $910.28 and Buncich another $3,500.

02012018 - News Article - Portage Mayor James Snyder campaign committee expenses include $41K to attorneys, $15K to wife

Portage Mayor James Snyder campaign committee expenses include $41K to attorneys, $15K to wife
NWI Times
February 01, 2018
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-james-snyder-campaign-committee-expenses-include-k-to/article_820e59ed-8465-5a1d-b8f0-a2396506fd14.html

PORTAGE — Mayor James Snyder raised and spent just over $102,000 last year, according to his campaign finance report filed this week.

Of that, $41,000 went to two attorneys, Thomas Kirsch II, of Chicago, and Jackie Bennett, of Indianapolis, who have been defending him in his federal public corruption case. Kirsch gave up his private practice when he was nominated to become U.S. attorney for northern Indiana.

"I and my city team are very grateful to the people and business who give to my campaign," Snyder said in a written statement. "The federal government is not infallible, but they do have unlimited resources and the media. My campaign funds being spent to protect me and my family pale in comparison to the tax dollars that are being spent to slander someone who has done nothing unlawful or wrong."

Another $15,000 went to his wife for office work.

Snyder said 20 percent of the funds raised through his campaign committee were spent on city functions such as the Christmas parade, Hannah's Playground, other events and "even taking City Council members to dinner."

He also repaid $2,000 of his $10,000 debt to John Cortina, his co-defendant in the federal case. The loan was detailed in Snyder's 2016 finance report.

Snyder's campaign treasurer, Kenard Taylor of Valparaiso, said Cortina routinely contributed $2,000 to Snyder each year to be a part of the mayor's roundtable. However, in 2017, Cortina forgave $2,000 of the $10,000 loan he gave Snyder in 2016 to retain his membership.

The mayor's roundtable, Taylor said, is a group of individuals and businesses who donate $2,000 annually to Snyder's campaign committee in exchange for attending four exclusive events in which they hear a report from Snyder and have a chance to give him input on the city's future.

Brian Howey, publisher of Howey Politics Indiana, said Snyder's financial report seemed a bit unusual.

"There are two levels of scrutiny. One is the donors, if they want their money used to pay his wife or attorneys; the other is the voters, the taxpayers," he said. "If it is legal, I guess it is up to the voters to determine if it is unseemly."

Snyder's committee received donations of $2,000 or more from 26 donors in 2017.

Snyder also received multiple donations from some business owners. John and Paul Marshall, of Crown Point, are principals in both Marshall II Enterprises and Midnight Blue Towing, according to the Indiana secretary of state's website. Together the companies donated a total of $3,000 to Snyder's committee. Similarly, Thomas Collins, of Hobart, is the principal in both Apple Core LLC and Luke Land LLC of Hobart. Donations of $2,000 from each company, or $4,000 in total, were received from Collins through his companies.

Taylor said contribution limitations are only on unions and corporations, adding LLCs have no donation limits.