02282006 - News Article - Van Bokkelen promises continued probe of public corruption - CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Lull in indictments not sign Operation Restore Public Integrity is losing steam

Van Bokkelen promises continued probe of public corruption
CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Lull in indictments not sign Operation Restore Public Integrity is losing steam
NWI Times
Feb 28, 2006
nwitimes.com/news/local/van-bokkelen-promises-continued-probe-of-public-corruption/article_f3252631-abef-5587-927b-e7b4d5523c2e.html
HAMMOND | Recent rumors that a major Lake County political figure would be charged earlier this month with public corruption produced a belly laugh from one veteran federal investigator -- but no indictments.

Months have passed since U.S. Attorney Joseph Van Bokkelen has added another name to Operation Restore Public Integrity's target list.

That will change, Van Bokkelen said.

"We are retooling, and in the not-too-distant future you will see some signal that takes place before an indictment is returned," he said.

About 30 corrupt politicians and their associates have learned it is rarely safe to come out and play since Van Bokkelen took office in 2001.

He peppered the 2004 calendar with grand jury sessions, indictments, guilty pleas and verdicts. He declared federal investigators had whipped up a perfect storm that would shipwreck many more.

His office won several convictions last year while mopping up older cases, but didn't produce any spine-tingling charges then or during the first two months of this year.

"We probably raised expectations too high," Van Bokkelen said.

In fact, his office dismissed charges alleging 66-year-old Gary Deputy Mayor Geraldine Tousant lied to federal agents about influence peddling at Gary City Hall. Van Bokkelen said Tousant's age had more to do with the dismissal than the strength of the federal case.

He said investigators are hard at work behind the scenes, and he isn't rushing them.

"I have no deadline I have to meet," Van Bokkelen said.

Things are happening too quickly for the defense team of Deborah Riga, a former Schererville town judge who is pleading not guilty to charges she shook down more than 1,175 minor offenders who appeared before her, ordering them to undergo counseling through a service she owned in the name of a family friend.

Merrillville lawyer Nick Thiros had asked U.S. Magistrate Andrew Rodovich to delay Riva's trial on grounds he needs more time to review prosecution evidence.

Rodovich refused, confirming her jury trial is to start the week of April 3.

"No extensions will be granted in this regard," Rodovich said.