04232018 - News Article - Former Lake County deputy police chief is scheduled to plead guilty May 21

Former Lake County deputy police chief is scheduled to plead guilty May 21
NWI Times
April 23, 2018
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-lake-county-deputy-police-chief-is-scheduled-to-plead/article_f1cdc628-ac53-51c4-b608-f9bf1274b0f1.html

HAMMOND — A former high-ranking Lake County police administrator is scheduled to return to U.S. District Court next month to plead guilty to making a false statement to the FBI.

A federal grand jury indicted Dan Murchek, 57, of Schererville, last week on a charge of making a false statement to FBI agents questioning him about the deepening scandal into bribery between towing firms and local government officials.

U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody ordered Murchek to appear May 21 before Magistrate Judge John E. Martin to formally enter a guilty plea to the felony count.

Murchek already has signed an agreement with the U.S. attorney's office that he will plead guilty to making a false statement in return for leniency.

Murchek was intending two years ago to run for Lake County Sheriff this spring.

Scott Jurgensen, owner of Samson’s Towing in Merrillville, gave Murchek a $500 check in 2016 that was illegally structured to look like a campaign contribution from one of his towing employees even though Murchek knew the money actually came from Jurgensen.

Weeks later, FBI agents questioned Murchek about the two checks.

Murchek told the agents he didn't receive a structured contribution from Jurgensen. Murchek admitted in his plea agreement his denial to the agents was false.

The plea agreement states the government will recommend Murchek receive the minimum sentence under federal guidelines and only a $3,500 fine.

Murchek, a 24-year veteran of the Lake County police force, rose to third-in-command as deputy chief of the Lake County Sheriff's office between 2011 and fall 2017.