09192018 - News Article - Former Lake County, Ind., deputy police chief sentenced for lying to FBI, judge says 'you'll be remembered as a crook'

Former Lake County, Ind., deputy police chief sentenced for lying to FBI, judge says 'you'll be remembered as a crook'
Chicago Tribune
September 19, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-dan-murchek-sentencing-st-0920-story.html

A federal judge told a former Lake County deputy police chief that when he lied to the FBI, his turned his legacy into that of “a crook.”

Dan Murchek, 57, of Schererville, was sentenced to two years of probation by federal Judge James Moody on Wednesday in Hammond. The former top-ranking police officer was sentenced for lying to the FBI.

Murchek was indicted in April for allegedly making false statements to the FBI, according to court documents, and reportedly lied to investigators during an interview about towing operations under convicted former Sheriff John Buncich when the former deputy chief was asked about campaign contributions he received from a tow operator.

“You’ll be remembered as a crook,” Moody said.

“Yes, sir,” Murchek said.

Defense attorney Paul Stracci said Murchek always did what he could to serve his community throughout his more than 30-year career in law enforcement. Murchek was willing and ready to help anyone who needed it, Stracci said.

What got Murchek into trouble was that he doesn’t always think things through, Stracci said.

Had Murchek admitted to the FBI that he structured the campaign donation, Stracci said it would have been a Class B misdemeanor and he likely would have continued being a police officer.

“I think sometimes Danny doesn’t think,” Stracci said.

“Or maybe he’s just full of himself,” Moody said.

Stracci said Murchek knows his accomplishments and contributions to the community will be overshadowed by his criminal conduct.

“He will be punished forever for a lie, for an unexplainable lie,” Stracci said.

“Nobody else threw it way. He did. Consciously and purposefully,” Moody said.

Murchek had been with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department for 24 years, and previously worked for police departments in Dyer and Hebron. Murchek resigned in April.

“Why do that?” Moody asked. “A man with your background.”

“I truly cannot give you an answer,” Murchek said.

“I just want to know what makes people like you tick,” Moody said. “What the devil was wrong with you?”

Murchek said he wished he could give Moody an answer and that it was “a lapse in judgment.”

Moody said Murchek disappointed everyone and ruined his future.

“It’s pretty disgusting,” Moody said.

More coverage: U.S. attorney looks at task force to curb 'systemic problem' of public corruption in Northwest Indiana »

During the fall of 2016, Murchek had announced he planned to run for sheriff during the 2018 election, as Buncich had served two consecutive terms and was prohibited by term limits from running again.

On Sept. 23, 2016, Murchek met with “Person A,” who was recording the meeting in cooperation with the FBI, and discussed how to structure a campaign donation to avoid Indiana’s limitation on business contributions, according to court documents.

The indictment said “Person A” allegedly gave Murchek a $1,000 donation from his business, which was a towing firm that did work for the Sheriff’s Department, and a personal check for $500 from one of the business’ employees. “Person A” had given an employee $500, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the employee then wrote a check to Murchek’s campaign.

During a November 2016 interview with the FBI, agents asked Murchek about contributions from “Person A,” according to the indictment, but he denied structuring the donation to skirt Indiana campaign donation limits.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson said Murchek directed the tow operator how to structure the campaign donation, and that indicated a problem.

“That’s what was going on at the beginning of his campaign,” Benson said.

“With great power comes great responsibility,” Benson said. “He violated that responsibility when he spoke to the FBI.”

Murchek’s interview with the FBI came after federal investigators conducted search warrants at the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, and Buncich’s home.

Buncich, 72, was convicted for using his office to solicit bribes from tow operators, according to court records, and in January was taken into federal custody after being sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.

Buncich, former Chief Timothy Downs and William Szarmach, of C.S.A. Towing, were named in a multicount indictment in November 2016 alleging a towing scheme where the sheriff accepted bribes in the form of thousands of dollars in cash and donations to his campaign fund, Buncich Boosters, according to court records.

“It’s just ridiculous the corruption in this office,” Moody said. “It destroys any integrity that good, honest politicians and officeholders have in this county.”

Eighteen people submitted letters commending Murchek’s service and seeking leniency for him.

Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, said she’s known Murchek for almost 40 years, and he’s always sought to serve the community through his work as a police officer and labor leader.

“Dan has been a significant contributor to Northwest Indiana and the State of Indiana. I respectfully request you to consider this in any sentencing decisions and ask for leniency,” Lawson wrote. “I am confident the remorse he feels and his love for the community will lead him to continue the great work he has been doing his entire life.”

Stracci said while Moody has seen a lot of people in his court, few have the body of work and accomplishments like Murchek.

“He was an amazing police officer,” Stracci said.

“But he screwed it up,” Moody said.

“He did,” Stracci said.

Murchek said he was sorry for his conduct and what it has done to his family, friends and the community.

“I don’t get a do over,” Murchek said. “I have to try to do better and move forward with my life.”

“Shame on you,” Moody said.