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01142019 - NEWS ARTICLES - PORTAGE INDIANA MAYOR JAMES SNYDER - FEDERAL CORRUPTION TRIAL - WEEK 1
01222019 - NEWS ARTICLES - PORTAGE INDIANA MAYOR JAMES SNYDER - FEDERAL CORRUPTION TRIAL - WEEK 2
01282019 - NEWS ARTICLES - PORTAGE INDIANA MAYOR JAMES SNYDER - FEDERAL CORRUPTION TRIAL - WEEK 3
02042019 - NEWS ARTICLES - PORTAGE INDIANA MAYOR JAMES SNYDER - FEDERAL CORRUPTION TRIAL - WEEK 4
02112019 - NEWS ARTICLES - PORTAGE INDIANA MAYOR JAMES SNYDER - FEDERAL CORRUPTION TRIAL - WEEK 5
02142019 - NEWS ARTICLES - PORTAGE MAYOR JAMES SNYDER GUILTY OF FEDERAL CHARGES
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With Portage mayor out after bribery conviction, city and county officials prepare for a new era
Chicago Tribune
February 14, 2019
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-snyder-reaction-st-0215-story.html
Mayor James Snyder's conviction on two federal felonies Thursday means he automatically forfeits his office, and it reshuffles the local political deck
Local and county officials said it also means the city can finally move forward.
City Council President Sue Lynch. D-At large, took over the mayor's office Thursday afternoon, per state law, until Porter County Republican Chairman Mike Simpson can call a caucus to select a person to fill out Snyder's term. That person can hold the mayor's office until November's general election and a new mayor is inaugurated in early 2020.
“I'm not even looking at this temporary stint (as mayor) as a political thing,” said Lynch, who was elected council president in January. “I just want to help get the city back on an even keel.
“I'm not nervous about doing (the temporary mayoral position), because I'm a full-time council member, so I have insight into the office already.”
Simpson said Indiana code requires the party chairman to hold a party caucus within 30 days of an office holder's ouster from office. The chair also must give potential caucus candidates 10 days, including notice of the event's time and place, to notify people of the opportunity to run for the spot, Simpson said.
As of Tuesday, only Portage Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, expressed interest in entering the party caucus to select a new mayor, Simpson said, a fact Cannon confirmed.
Cannon, who is a candidate for the office in the May primary, said his campaign team already has laid out “a plan for the next four years to come” if he is selected by the caucus and elected in November.
Cannon is the sole Republican candidate for the mayor's spot, while Lynch will face Portage's Economic Development Director Andy Maletta, Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham and local businessman Leo Hatch Jr., for the Democratic nomination in May's primary election.
If he is selected by the party caucus to replace Snyder, Cannon said he will work “hand-in-hand” on any new legislation for the remainder of the year.
“It's truly a unique situation,” Cannon said.
In a prepared statement released shortly after Snyder’s conviction was announced, Cannon said due process had been determined in regards to Snyder’s indictment.
“Countless negative headlines have put Portage’s leadership in question,” he said, adding that he’s hopeful that’s over forever.
“It is time for Portage city government to get back to doing what is right. It is time for us to move on and do the people’s work,” he said, adding he will support Lynch “as we move forward, together.”
In a statement released on Facebook, Councilman Collin Czilli, D-5th, said Snyder “has tarnished Portage’s image” but he was confident the citizens will prove Portage is more than one corrupt mayor.
“This is never a day I wanted to see come in our community. This will leave a black mark on Portage’s 50 years of prosperity,” Czilli wrote. “However, I’m comforted by the fact that each elected official is committed to restoring faith in local government and our ability to govern effectively.”
Porter County Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, has been an outspoken critic of Snyder’s and called for his resignation shortly after he was indicted in November 2016.
Rivas, whose district includes Portage, said he is glad the city can move forward and rebuild a relationship with the county and other municipalities, “and be the great city that it is.”
“It’s time to move on. I think this was the first step and the November election will be the second step in Portage’s healing,” Rivas said.
'We're a strong city': Temporary Mayor Sue Lynch voices confidence in wake of corruption convictions
NWI Times
February 14, 2019
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/we-re-a-strong-city-temporary-mayor-sue-lynch-voices/article_907642d6-4a86-5489-be8a-5591c1070299.html
PORTAGE — Portage City Council President Sue Lynch voiced words of confidence for the city as she found herself suddenly elevated Thursday afternoon to temporary mayor in the wake of Republican Mayor James Snyder's public corruption convictions.
"We're going to be fine," she said. "We're a strong city."
Lynch, a Democrat who is among a pool of candidates running for mayor in this year's municipal election, will take over the city's top political seat until local Republican precinct committee officials elect someone from their party to complete Snyder's term through the end of the year.
"We're just going to have business as usual," Lynch said.
Porter County Republican Party Chairman Mike Simpson said he has 30 days to host the caucus to replace Snyder.
Eligible candidates must be registered Republicans and registered voters who reside within the city of Portage, he said.
The only person who has voiced interest so far is lone Republican City Councilman John Cannon, who is also the only Republican candidate on this year's general election ballot for the job, Simpson said.
"As we all know, due process has been determined in regards to the Portage mayor's indictment. My thoughts and prayers are with the Snyder family as they advance to the next chapter," Cannon, R-4th, said in a written statement.
"Countless negative headlines have put Portage’s leadership in question. I am hopeful that it's over forever. I know that the people of Portage are compassionate people, with a hope for positive headlines in the future. Portage is a forwarding looking city, always hopeful for new adventures for the future. Portage will only look backwards, to learn lessons," Cannon said. "It is time for Portage city government get back to doing what is right. It is time for us to move on and do the peoples work. I will support fully Council President Sue Lynch as we move forward, together."
"I truly don't believe it has an effect on our party," Simpson said of Snyder's convictions.
He said voters at the local level cast their ballots for individuals and not the party brand.
He personally found the convictions "saddening and disappointing," and said he feels for the mayor's wife and children.
Simpson said the local Republican Party encourages its candidates to follow the law.
Longtime Democratic City Councilman Mark Oprisko said he believes the convictions will hurt the Republican Party in this year's municipal elections.
"If I was a Republican, I would be worried," he said.
Oprisko also believes the convictions send a loud message to all elected officials to, "Do what is right in life."
"It's been a battle, and I'm glad it's over," Oprisko said. "It's just nice to turn this page and move forward with a new chapter for the city of Portage."
Democratic City Councilman Collin Czilli said in a prepared statement, "This is never a day I wanted to see come in our community. This will leave a black mark on Portage’s 50 years of prosperity. However, I’m comforted by the fact that each elected official is committed to restoring faith in local government and our ability to govern effectively."
"The two-year-long nightmare that has stalled Portage’s progress has finally come to an end once and for all," he said. "Now, we must move forward, unified in rebuilding trust with the citizens of Portage.
"James Snyder has tarnished Portage’s image, but I am confident that the citizens of Portage will prove that we are much more than one corrupt mayor."
"It’s sad that our city has had to go through this for the past two years. The black cloud has finally been lifted and I am confident with our current city leaders we can move the city forward, and renew faith in city government. Let the healing begin," Councilwoman Liz Modesto, D-1st said.
Jury finds Portage mayor guilty of bribery, obstructing the IRS
Chicago Tribune
February 14, 2019
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-mayor-snyder-verdict-st-0215-story.html
A federal jury Thursday found Portage Mayor James Snyder guilty of bribery and obstructing the IRS.
Snyder, 38, was convicted of taking a $13,000 bribe in exchange for contracts to sell five garbage trucks to the city, and using a shell company to hide income and assets from the IRS while owing back personal and business taxes. The jury acquitted Snyder of a third count that alleged he took a $12,000 bribe to get a company on Portage’s tow list.
Snyder has agreed to forfeit $13,000 to the federal government.
The verdict came on the 19th day of Snyder’s trial, and after the four women and eight men on the jury deliberated for nearly 12 hours.
“It’s been a really long road,” Snyder said, after the verdict was announced.
“Today, we were able to knock one of the charges out. Thankfully the jury can see through that one,” Snyder said. “The journey is still ongoing. We have two more counts to deal with.”
Snyder’s defense attorneys had indicated in court that they would appeal the conviction.
“The jury had their facts in front them and made the decision the best they could do with what they had in front of them,” Snyder said. “We’ll continue to work through this.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, which oversaw the prosecution, said that Snyder could face up to 10 years in prison on the bribery charge, and up to three years in prison on the obstruction charge. Snyder’s sentencing is tentatively set for May 14, according to court documents.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana was recused from the case, absent two prosecutors, as U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch II previously represented Snyder.
The jury arrived in Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen’s courtroom to announce the verdict just after 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
Van Bokkelen asked the jury’s foreman if they had reached a verdict.
“Yes, we have come up with a verdict,” the foreman said.
As the jury’s verdict was announced in court, Snyder was first cleared of one count of bribery before the guilty verdicts on the other two counts were read.
Snyder kept his eye affixed on the judge as the verdict was read, his wife, family and a group of friends sat in the courtroom behind him.
Snyder, a Republican, was indicted in November 2016 and charged with allegedly violating a federal bribery statute and obstructing or impeding the IRS.
Prosecutors say that when Snyder ran for mayor in 2011, he told residents he planned to automate Portage’s trash pickup, but wound up steering contracts for $712,882.50 and another for $425,355 to Great Lakes Peterbilt, which was then owned by Robert and Steve Buha.
Great Lakes Peterbilt is now owned by a different firm.
Defense attorneys say that Snyder used his experience in offering health insurance to city employees through the Affordable Care Act, and making technology upgrades to advise Great Lakes Peterbilt about making similar changes.
A second count said that Snyder, while owing tens of thousands of dollars to the IRS, funneled income through a shell company, and failed to disclose any of those assets to the IRS.
Snyder was cleared of taking a bribe in an alleged pay-to-play towing scheme.
Federal prosecutors said the mayor allegedly solicited money from John Cortina, of Kustom Auto Body in Portage, and “Individual A” and gave them a towing contract for Portage.
Former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, a Democrat, was indicted the same day as Snyder is a similar towing scheme. Buncich was found guilty and began serving a 15-year 8-month sentence in January 2018.
Cortina, 79, who was indicted alongside the mayor, in January pleaded guilty to a charge that he paid bribes to Snyder to get a spot on the tow list. Cortina did not testify during the trial, invoking his Fifth Amendment right to not incriminate himself, according to court documents.
Snyder’s defense said during the trial that prosecutors presented no evidence that Snyder knowingly accepted any money that was purported to be a bribe. The defense said that Snyder considered the money a loan from Cortina, a friend and political supporter, to help cover his legal fees.
Snyder has maintained his innocence during the more than two years since he was indicted.
SNYDER GUILTY
UPDATE: Felony bribery conviction knocks Portage mayor out of office
NWI Times
February 14, 2019
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/update-felony-bribery-conviction-knocks-portage-mayor-out-of-office/article_e1bb6742-0ec0-543a-961d-2ffd17c715cb.html
HAMMOND — A federal jury's verdict ensured two title changes for James Snyder Thursday: He is now the former Portage mayor and is a convicted felon.
After a trial spanning three weeks, the Hammond federal court jury found Snyder guilty of two felonies — one bribery count and another tax-related felony. The panel acquitted Snyder of a third bribery charge.
The bribery conviction is punishable by up to ten years in prison, while the obstruction count is punishable by up to three years, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois, which has been overseeing the case.
After walking from the Hammond courthouse, Snyder highlighted the dismissed charge.
Standing on the courthouse plaza holding the hand of his wife, Deborah, the disgraced former mayor said the jury "knocked one of the charges out."
But in posting the guilty verdict to two other felony charges, the jury also knocked Snyder out of the mayor's office.
Under Indiana law, a felony conviction immediately removes an elected official from public office.
Snyder, who was in the last year of his second term, will temporarily be replaced by Portage City Council President Sue Lynch, D-at-large.
She will serve as acting mayor until Portage Republican precinct committee members can elect someone to fulfill Snyder's term in a special caucus. Snyder's existing term was set to expire Dec. 31.
Jurors found Snyder guilty of accepting a $13,000 bribe from former Great Lakes Peterbilt owners Bob and Steve Buha in exchange for some $1.25 million in garbage truck bids. They also found him guilty of a tax obstruction charge in which he was accused of creating a sham company to hide money from the IRS.
Snyder was acquitted on a third charge, which alleged he accepted a $12,000 bribe from former co-defendant John Cortina and Samson Towing owner Scott Jurgensen, also an undercover FBI informant, to put the duo on the city's tow list.
Snyder contended throughout the 19-day trial the funds were a $2,000 contribution to his campaign committee and a $10,000 loan to his campaign.
Cortina pleaded guilty last month to a felony charge of paying Snyder the bribe and is scheduled to be sentenced in April.
Jurors deliberated nearly 12 hours over two days in the trial, which saw more than 20 witnesses and more than 15 days of testimony.
The investigation into Snyder began in September 2013 and led to a November 2016 grand jury indictment of Snyder and Cortina.
"This has been a really long road," Snyder said as he left the courthouse.
As the verdict was read, neither Snyder, his wife nor his parents showed any emotion to the convictions.
Snyder's contempt for the government prosecution, however, was evident.
Following the reading of the verdict, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen and others discussed Snyder's decision to waive a jury hearing on the forfeiture of $13,000 resulting from the bribery conviction.
Van Bokkelen, who said he had never dealt with the issue in a similar way, asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson for advice.
Snyder asked the judge why he was asking the government prosecutor for advice and not Snyder's own attorney.
"It's really hard to take his word for anything," Snyder said, directing his comment toward Benson.
Unlike during Tuesday's closing arguments, which saw a packed courtroom of Snyder's friends and family, only a handful of family members and friends were present when the verdict was read Thursday.
Snyder said the jurors saw beyond the allegations in the towing-related bribery charge, which led to an acquittal on that charge.
He said he will continue to fight the conviction, presumably through appeal.
One of his attorneys, Jackie Bennett, said during the afternoon courtroom session they have "reserved a number of issues for appeal."
Snyder is scheduled to be sentenced at 11 a.m. May 24 before Van Bokkelen.
NW Indiana mayor convicted of taking bribe that impacted city contracts
Chicago Sun-Times
February 14, 2019
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/nw-indiana-mayor-convicted-of-taking-bribe-that-impacted-city-contracts/
A federal grand jury found a northwest Indiana mayor guilty of bribery Thursday after he allegedly solicited and took a payoff that influenced lucrative city contracts.
Portage Mayor James Snyder, 38, was found guilty of the bribery charge, as well as a single count of obstruction of internal revenue laws, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Officer for the Northern District of Illinois. He was acquitted of an additional count of bribery.
From 2012 to 2014, Snyder solicited and pocketed a $13,000 check that was used to influence a series of contracts the city awarded, including contracts approved by the Portage Board of Works that totaled more than $1.1 million, prosecutors said.
Snyder was also convicted of hiding cash to avoid paying the IRS personal taxes and taxes owed by his mortgage business, Financial Trust Mortgage LLC in Portage, prosecutors said.
In addition to secretly diverting funds from his business to a sole proprietorship he created, Snyder also submitted tax forms that failed to disclose the existence of the holding and its bank account, among other things, prosecutors said.
The bribery conviction is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while the obstruction count carries a maximum prison sentence of 3 years, prosecutors said.
Portage Mayor Convicted Of Accepting $13000 In Bribes
CBS Chicago
February 14, 2019
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/4029467-portage-mayor-convicted-of-accepting-13000-in-bribes/
Northwestern Indiana mayor convicted of bribery, tax charge
WGN-TV
February 14, 2019
https://wgntv.com/2019/02/14/northwestern-indiana-mayor-convicted-of-bribery-tax-charge/
HAMMOND, Ind. — A jury has convicted a northwestern Indiana mayor of one count each of bribery and tax obstruction while acquitting him of a second bribery count.
The jury returned the verdicts Thursday against 38-year-old Portage Mayor James Snyder during its second day of deliberations. Under Indiana law, a felony conviction immediately removes an elected official from public office.
Snyder, a Republican, was found guilty of accepting $13,000 from a Portage company after it received contracts worth more than $1.25 million for garbage trucks. The tax charge stems from a mortgage company he once managed and back personal income taxes.
He was acquitted of a charge alleging he solicited $12,000 from towing operators.
Snyder has maintained his innocence. His attorneys indicated he will appeal the convictions.
No verdict yet in Portage Mayor James Snyder's public corruption trial
NWI Times
February 13, 2019
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/no-verdict-yet-in-portage-mayor-james-snyder-s-public/article_aceae5d7-d283-51cd-9836-ed88c4ca4638.html
HAMMOND — Jurors in Portage Mayor James Snyder's public corruption case deliberated for nearly six hours Wednesday before being sent home for the night.
Jury deliberations will continue at 9 a.m. Thursday in what will be the 19th day of the trial.
Snyder was indicted in November 2016 on three charges. His trial began Jan. 14.
The first count against Snyder alleges he solicited two bank checks, for $10,000 and $2,000, from former co-defendant Cortina to put Cortina and his business partner, Scott Jurgensen, owner of Samson Towing, on the city's towing list.
Snyder claimed $2,000 was a campaign donation, and $10,000 came from Cortina as loans to pay Snyder's attorney bills.
In transcripts of undercover recordings, Cortina refers to the money as "juice money" he paid Snyder in an effort to get on the city's towing list. During his plea hearing Friday, Cortina told the court he perceived the money to be a bribe.
Cortina, who took the Fifth Amendment and did not testify during Snyder's trial, pleaded guilty last month to paying the bribe.
The second count against Snyder alleged he accepted $13,000 from a Portage company in exchange for favorable contracts with the city. Snyder was alleged to have solicited the $13,000 from Great Lakes Peterbilt days after the company received contracts worth more than $1.25 million for garbage trucks.
The third count against Snyder involves his private business operations with a mortgage company he previously managed. The count alleges, among other things, that Snyder, who managed the company, collected but failed to pay to the federal government employee payroll taxes. The alleged behavior dates back to 2005. He was also accused of obstructing the IRS from collection some $30,000 in back personal income taxes.
Prosecutors said Snyder created a company through which he funneled money to hide it from the IRS and failed to file appropriate tax forms.
No verdict in Portage mayor's corruption trial; jurors to resume deliberations Thursday
Chicago Tribune
February 13, 2019
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-snyder-trial-verdict-st-0214-story.html
A federal jury went home at 4 p.m. Wednesday without a verdict in Portage Mayor James Snyder’s public corruption trial.
The jury is expected to return Thursday morning. The 12 jurors deliberated for roughly seven hours Wednesday before Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen called prosecutors, Snyder and his defense attorneys into the courtroom to tell them the jury would be recessed.
“I’m going to bring the jury in and excuse them. For the day,” Van Bokkelen said.
Snyder, 38, was charged with allegedly taking a $12,000 bribe to ensure a tow operator partnered with a longtime friend and political supporter of the mayor to get on the city’s tow list; steering city contracts for garbage trucks to a firm in exchange for a $13,000 payout; and using a shell company to hide income and assets from the IRS.
Snyder was not in the federal courthouse until shortly before the jury recessed for the day. The mayor came into court with his wife, Deborah, and defense attorneys.
The jury began deliberating Wednesday morning at federal court in Hammond, 18 days after Snyder’s trial began. The 12 jurors heard 15 days of testimony and evidence in the case.
Federal prosecutors have said that Snyder moved from scheme to scheme to enrich himself. Prosecutors say he hid money from the IRS to avoid the government from collecting all the money it was owed; saw a chance to net a kickback by seeing a truck dealership owned by political backers received city business; and masked a bribe as a campaign donation, knowing he was under federal investigation.
“James Snyder does not think rules apply to him,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Koster, during opening statements in January.
Throughout the trial, Snyder’s defense team has aimed to show the jurors that the mayor did nothing criminal, and claimed the charges came about through a lengthy investigation driven by lies told to the FBI by the mayor’s political opponents.
“This man has not been treated fairly by his government,” said defense attorney Jackie Bennett Jr., during closing arguments.
Snyder was indicted in November 2016 and charged with allegedly violating a federal bribery statue. Federal prosecutors said the mayor allegedly solicited money from John Cortina, 79, of Kustom Auto Body, and “Individual A” and gave them a towing contract for Portage.
Snyder received an additional bribery indictment for alleged accepting $13,000 in connection with a Portage Board of Works contract, and allegedly obstructing Internal Revenue Service laws.
Snyder has pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court documents.
Cortina, who was indicted alongside the mayor, in January pleaded guilty to a charge that he paid bribes to Snyder to get a spot on the tow list.
Mayor Snyder's jury begins deciding his fate Wednesday morning
NWI Times
February 12, 2019
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/mayor-snyder-s-jury-begins-deciding-his-fate-wednesday-morning/article_addbd634-2f3d-11e9-9c0b-6b525dcb578f.html
HAMMOND — Portage Mayor James Snyder is either a manipulative liar or a young family man caught up in a government conspiracy to bring him down, jurors were told Tuesday.
The different portraits of Snyder were presented as both the prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments in Snyder's public corruption case.
Who Snyder is and whether he accepted two bribes for personal gain and schemed to prevent paying taxes is now in the jury's hands. The 17th day of the trial ended Tuesday just after 5:30 p.m. with jurors telling the judge they wanted to begin their deliberations at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
"We are here because James Snyder does not believe rules apply to him," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Koster told the jury and a packed courtroom primarily filled with Snyder family members and supporters.
Koster walked the jury through the three charges and the government's evidence against him in her nearly two-hour closing argument.
Snyder is charged with obstructing the IRS from collecting some $97,000 in back payroll taxes from his business, First Financial Trust Mortgage, and some $30,000 in personal income tax.
He also allegedly took a $12,000 bribe from former co-defendant John Cortina and Scott Jurgensen, former Merrillville police officer and owner of Samson Towing to put the duo on the city's tow list. Jurgensen was an undercover agent for the FBI gathering evidence against Snyder on the charge.
Cortina pleaded guilty last month to paying Snyder the bribe. He pleaded the Fifth Amendment and did not testify. Cortina is set to be sentenced in April.
The third charge alleges Snyder took a $13,000 bribe from Steve and Bob Buha, former owners of Great Lakes Peterbilt, a truck dealership in Portage, in exchange for steering $1.2 million in garbage truck bids their way.
On the tax charge, Koster said Snyder acted purposely to obstruct the IRS from collecting the back taxes by lying on forms and hiding income by creating a shell company, SRC Properties LLC. Koster said Snyder diverted money to SRC so that the IRS could not levy income to pay the tax debt and then lied on forms about the existence of SRC.
"It was a piggy bank out of which James Snyder lived a more comfortable lifestyle," Koster said.
Defense attorney Neal Brackett countered the charge, saying Snyder got into the back tax situation before becoming mayor because of the economy's downturn and a collapse of the real estate market.
Brackett said Snyder, married with four children, collected a "modest income" as mayor and could not keep up with his debts. Brackett further told jurors that Snyder hid nothing and that the IRS did not do a thorough investigation.
Instead, he said, they put up a front of "smoke and mirrors" to make his client look guilty.
As for the bribery charge involving the garbage trucks, Koster said Snyder lied about the purpose of the $13,000 given to him by the Buhas, saying it was for consulting, from health care to information technology, telephones, payroll and tax issues the Buhas were facing with their failing company.
"The problem with lying is you have to remember the lies that you told. James Snyder told a lot of them," Koster said, adding Randy Reeder, the assistant street department superintendent put in charge of purchasing garbage trucks as the city moved to automated trash collection, was nothing more than a "yes man" for Snyder.
Reeder recanted incriminating testimony he gave against Snyder in grand jury testimony, in which he said he felt like Snyder's pawn and that Snyder had directed him to make sure Great Lakes Peterbilt received the contracts.
"You just don't get to retract" statements, Koster said, telling the jury they can consider what Reeder said during his grand jury testimony.
Defense attorney Jackie Bennett said the charges were based on the word of former street superintendent Steve Charnetzky and were "chock full of lies."
Those lies, Bennett said, continued a federal investigation in which they "found holes in every aspect of the case."
"This man has not been treated fairly by his government," Bennett said.
As for the tow-for-pay charge, Koster said, while Snyder said he had no involvement, he directed the removal of one company to put Cortina and Jurgensen on Portage's list and was smart enough to wait several months between receiving the bribe and putting them on the list in an effort to avoid an appearance of quid pro quo.
"If it's this for that, it's a bribe in this context, even if it is a campaign contribution," Koster said, countering Snyder's claim that Cortina gave him a $2,000 campaign contribution and a $10,000 loan through his campaign committee to pay attorney fees.
Koster also defended Snyder's brother, Porter County Assessor Jon Snyder, for standing up and becoming an informant for the FBI.
"No one forced him to cooperate," she said, adding the defense has painted him as a "horrible brother" and ungrateful.
"Jon Snyder is the stronger member of the family. He takes responsibility for his actions," Koster said.
Bennett attempted to discredit Jurgensen and Cortina, saying Jurgensen is guilty of the actions, paying money to politicians to be on municipal tow lists. He also said Jurgensen received $140,000 from the federal government over recent years to cooperate in several investigations.
"He paid lots of people lots of money over the years," said Bennett, adding, "Cortina was the perfect foil for Scott Jurgensen to target Mayor Snyder."
Bennett also criticized the federal investigation for not interviewing some potential witnesses.
"I ask you to wonder about why those interviews didn't get done. Mayor Snyder has his life and liberty at stake," Bennett said.
Portage mayor's defense says charges based on lies; prosecutors say guilty verdict is deserved
Chicago Tribune
February 12, 2019
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-snyder-trial-day-17-st-0213-story.html
The defense for Mayor James Snyder has not been “treated fairly” as the government brought false charges, but prosecutors say it is the mayor who wronged the citizens of Portage by allegedly taking bribes.
During closing arguments Tuesday, Snyder’s defense sought to show that he did nothing wrong and that the government took information from the mayor’s political opponents to find something to charge him with. Federal prosecutors say Snyder “didn’t think the rules applied” to him, and moved from scheme to scheme to enrich himself.
The jury will begin its deliberations Wednesday morning.
Defense attorney Jackie Bennett Jr. said the defense has found holes in every aspect of the prosecutors’ case.
“This man has not been treated fairly by his government,” Bennett said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson said that by taking bribes and obstructing the IRS, it is the mayor who wronged Portage and its citizens of honest government.
Closing arguments came after 15 days of testimony and evidence, as prosecutors worked through a three-count indictment, but the defense worked to show the men and women of the jury that nothing criminal happened.
“We have proven James Snyder is guilty,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Koster.
Snyder was indicted in November 2016 and charged with allegedly violating a federal bribery statue. Federal prosecutors said the mayor allegedly solicited money from John Cortina, of Kustom Auto Body, and “Individual A” and gave them a towing contract for Portage.
Cortina, who was indicted in November 2016 alongside the mayor, in January pleaded guilty to a charge that he paid bribes to Snyder to get a spot on the tow list.
Koster said the jury heard Cortina say that what he and Scott Jurgensen, of Samson’s Towing, was “juice money.”
Koster said Snyder, by 2016, knew he was under investigation by the FBI and IRS, so put off putting Samson’s on the tow list, but the tapes indicate they all knew it was coming.
“They were going to take Waffco off and they knew it a month in advance,” Koster said.
Bennett said the jury heard no evidence that Snyder knew the payment to be anything more than a loan from Cortina to help pay for the mayor’s legal fees. Bennett said Cortina had been a long-time friend and political supporter.
Snyder had no knowledge that $6,000 of the $12,000 came from Jurgensen, Bennett said, and that Cortina’s comments about it being a bribe are false. Bennett said $2,000 went otward Cortina’s membership in the mayor’s round table, and the $10,000 was properly documented in campaign filings as a loan.
“There’s no evidence that James Snyder ever knowingly accepted money from Scott Jurgensen,” Bennett said.
When Snyder first ran for mayor, Koster said he told people he would automate the city’s trash collection. Koster said Snyder helped steer a contract for $712,882.50 and another for $425,355 to Great Lakes Peterbilt, then owned by Steve and Robert Buha, for garbage trucks.
Great Lakes Peterbilt is now owned by a different firm.
Koster said Snyder put Randy Reeder, the assistant superintendent of the streets department, in charge though he lacked qualifications for the job.
“He was a yes man,” Koster said.
After getting those contracts, Koster said Great Lakes Peterbilt gave Snyder a check for $13,000 payable to his shell company.
Koster said Great Lakes Peterbilt submitted a bid that sold the city older trucks than what other companies offered despite the specs seeking new, unused equipment.
The mayor claims that the $13,000 payment was for consulting work, Koster said, but testimony showed that Snyder was not capable of consulting on health care or information technology. Koster said no one from Great Lakes Peterbilt could produce a contract, work product or anything that showed Snyder performed any work for that payment.
“The $13,000 payment, ladies and gentlemen,” was not for consulting,” Koster said.
Bennett said the investigation was triggered by lies and the government pushed forward to find something.
Bennett said the mayor had nothing to do with the development of specs or bidding process for the garbage trucks. Bennett said Snyder told Reeder to move the automation of trash pickup forward and to do it quickly.
The defense has said the contracts went to Great Lakes Peterbilt as it was the lowest and most responsive bidder.
Koster said that Snyder ran a mortgage company and did not rack up tens of thousands of dollars that he owed the IRS.
Another mortgage firm merged with Snyder’s company, Koster said, and he allegedly set up a shell company that submitted invoices and got paid. Snyder was the only employee of the shell company, Koster said.
Snyder also had personal tax debt, Koster said, but did not tell the IRS about his shell company and its bank account.
The defense said the tax charge was nothing more than “smoke and mirrors” and that the jury wasn’t getting the “full picture.”
“There’s no evidence of intent to impede or obstruct,” said defense attorney Neil Brackett.
Portage Mayor James Snyder scheduled to be Portage chamber's featured speaker this month
NWI Times
February 12, 2019
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/portage-mayor-james-snyder-scheduled-to-be-portage-chamber-s/article_3da31187-d775-5cd2-af1f-cd5d97599923.html
PORTAGE — The mayor opted against speaking to a federal jury about public corruption charges against him, but he is scheduled to talk next week to the Portage Chamber of Commerce.
Portage Mayor James E. Snyder, who was awaiting a verdict Tuesday on bribery and tax evasion charges, was announced the same day as the featured speaker for the chamber's annual State of the City luncheon.
It wasn't clear earlier Tuesday whether Snyder will still be the mayor by the time of the chamber's Feb. 21 event.
Federal prosecutors and Snyder's defense team were scheduled Tuesday to give final arguments to a U.S. District Court jury in Hammond and let jurors deliberate over 16 days of testimony about whether Snyder is guilty of soliciting and accepting bribes for city business or illegally dodging federal taxes.
Snyder is pleading not guilty.
He would automatically be removed from office, under state law, if found guilty of any of the felony counts he faces.
The luncheon is scheduled to begin noon at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. The announcement states, "The February Chamber Luncheon will feature Mayor Snyder as he gives the State of the City report. ... Join us to learn about the accomplishments from 2018 and the plans for 2019."
Federal prosecutors have portrayed Snyder as a schemer who is guilty of hiding income from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to avoid paying personal and business taxes and funneling more than $1 million in city contracts to local businesses in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in bribes.
Snyder's lawyers have responded that the government's case is built on false evidence and an investigation prompted by Snyder's vengeful political opponents.
Snyder has chosen not to run for re-election this year.
Portage mayor's public corruption case will likely be in hands of jurors on Tuesday afternoon
NWI Times
February 11, 2019
HAMMOND — After 15 days of testimony, jurors will likely begin deliberations in the public corruption trial of Portage Mayor James Snyder sometime Tuesday afternoon.
Following former Great Lakes Peterbilt's owner Bob Buha taking the Fifth Amendment early Monday afternoon, Snyder's defense team rested its case after calling only five witnesses.
Two of Buha's former employees, sales manager Scott McIntyre and controller Joseph Searles, testified Monday regarding the charge that Snyder took a $13,000 bribe from Buha and his brother Steve, in return for steering $1.2 million in garbage truck bids to the company.
Snyder contends he received the $13,000 from the Buhas in exchange for offering consulting services.
However, Searles said while he prepared a document at the request of the Buhas outlining the benefits of Snyder's consulting services, he never saw any contracts, documents supporting the payment or work product. The document was not admitted as evidence.
Searles also said Snyder recommended an attorney to the Buhas to help with tax problems.
Snyder has also been charged with accepting a $12,000 bribe from former co-defendant John Cortina in a pay-for-tow scheme and for tax obstruction regarding his personal and business taxes.
Cortina, who did not testify in the case, pleaded guilty in January to paying Snyder $12,000 in return for putting himself and his tow company partner, Samson Towing, on the city's tow list. Samson Towing is owned by former Merrillville police officer Scott Jurgensen, who went undercover for the FBI, wearing a wire to gather information.
Snyder also told the court Monday that he will not testify in his own defense.
On Monday, Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen ruled that additional undercover tapes recorded by Snyder's brother, Jon Snyder, the Porter County assessor, who also acted as an undercover FBI agent, would not be admitted into evidence.
Van Bokkelen also ruled against prosecutors, saying they could not amend the indictment which included allegations that the alleged bribe from the Buhas included a road widening project. Testimony was never introduced on that allegation.
Jurors will likely hear their instructions beginning at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, followed by closing arguments by both sides in the case. Following closing arguments, jurors will begin deliberations.
Portage mayor declines to testify as corruption trial nears end
Chicago Tribune
February 11, 2019
Indicted Portage Mayor James Snyder declined to take the stand Monday as his weeks-long public corruption trial nears its end.
Snyder’s defense attorneys rested their case Monday afternoon and closing arguments are set for Tuesday before jurors begin their deliberations. Before 15 days of testimony and evidence wrapped up, Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen asked Snyder if he had been advised of his right to testify in his own defense before declining to take the stand.
“Yes,” Snyder said.
Van Bokkelen asked if it was his decision not to testify.
“Yes, it is my decision not to testify,” Snyder said.
Snyder said he was “upset” at the judge’s ruling to not allow the jury to hear undercover recordings his brother, Porter County Assessor Jon Snyder, made that the mayor’s defense attorneys argued would document his innocence.
“It seems like there’s two different trials going on,” Snyder said.
Van Bokkelen denied a motion to allow Snyder’s attorneys to play undercover recordings that were not played by federal prosecutors earlier in the trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson said the tapes should not be played, and it was the defense’s aim to get Snyder’s words played without opening him up to cross examination.
“They’re really trying to get in the words of James Snyder,” Benson said.
On the last day of evidence and testimony, jurors heard from two now-former employees of Great Lakes Peterbilt and an IRS agent.
The defense called Robert Buha, the former owner of Great Lakes Peterbilt, which allegedly bribed Snyder to win city contracts to sell Portage five garbage trucks, but he answered few questions.
Buha testified that he now owns a small business, and that he was part owner of Great Lakes Peterbilt from 1992 to 2014. Buha then invoked the Fifth Amendment, which protects his from making potentially self-incriminating statements, and answered no other questions.
Federal prosecutors claim that Snyder steered a city contract to one firm and netted himself a $13,000 kickback.
Prosecutors say that when Snyder first ran for mayor, he told residents he planned to automate Portage’s trash pickup, but would up allegedly steering contracts for $712,882.50 and another for $425,355 to Great Lakes Peterbilt, which was then owned by Robert and Steve Buha.
Great Lakes Peterbilt is now owned by a different firm.
After getting those contracts, prosecutors Great Lakes Peterbilt gave Snyder a check for $13,000 payable to his shell company, which state records showed had been dissolved.
Defense attorneys say that Snyder used his experience in offering health insurance to city employees through the Affordable Care Act, and making technology upgrades to advise Great Lakes Peterbilt about making similar changes.
Snyder was indicted in November 2016 and charged with allegedly violating federal bribery statutes. Federal prosecutors say the mayor allegedly solicited money from Kustom Auto owner John Cortina, a Portage businessman, and “Individual A” and gave them a towing contract for Portage.
Snyder has pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court documents.
Cortina, 79, who was indicted alongside the mayor, pleaded guilty to a charge that he paid bribes to Snyder to get a spot on the tow list.
The defense has argued that $10,000 of that payment was a loan to the mayor’s campaign committee to help him cover legal costs, and the remaining $2,000 was membership to a roundtable group. The defense has said the mayor had no knowledge part of that money came from “Individual A” and was in no way a bribe.
Snyder is also charged with obstructing or impeding the IRS, according to court documents.
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