12062004 - News Article - Three more indictments in federal investigation - ROBERT CANTRELL

Three more indictments in federal investigation
NWI Times
Dec 6, 2004
The federal net known as Operation Restore Public Integrity has caught two more Lake County politicians for allegedly breaking the law. A Lake County government employee also was named in indictments announced last week.

The indictments revealed by U.S. Attorney Joseph Van Bokkelen confirm his pledge to vigorously continue the pursuit of public corruption in the region, an investigation that has been sorely needed for years to erase a perception -- and reputation -- that has tainted the region for years.

In the latest round of indictments, North Township Trustee Greg Cvitkovich was charged with tax fraud; Lake County Recorder Morris Carter, three counts of extortion; Lake County planner Jan Allison, extortion.

Cvitkovich, who rules one of the largest local government agencies in the county, is accused of illegally reducing his income by falsely reporting business deductions of $203,467 in 1999 and $165,865 in 2000.

Carter allegedly accepted three bribes totaling $1,800. The government alleges that Carter and Allison acted together in one instance to extort money from a government informant applying for a county contractor's license to do construction in an unincorporated area.

At the same time, Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter has made it clear he will pursue his civil lawsuit against East Chicago's outgoing mayor, Robert Pastrick, even after he leaves office, and 26 other city officials and politically connected businesses associated with his administration.

Carter alleges the Pastrick administration used public money to win re-election in 1999 by manipulating a sidewalk improvement project into a $24 million giveaway of city concrete and tree-trimming services.

At the time he filed the lawsuit, Carter, a Republican, was viliࣼed by Pastrick and other Democratic Party faithful for using the lawsuit to gain votes. Carter was running for re-election when he ࣼled the lawsuit.

Carter is right to continue pursuing the lawsuit. He really had no choice, as the "campaign gimmick" charge could have followed him for years.

As with the others caught up in Operation Restore Public Integrity before them, Cvitkovich, Carter and Allison are entitled to their day in court.

They are innocent unless proven guilty or if they choose to plead guilty.

In the meantime, the investigation is far from over. Stay tuned.