03212007 - News Article - Public integrity indictments today - RESTORE PUBLIC INTEGRITY -- Cantrell is seen as possible target of federal probe - ROBERT CANTRELL

Public integrity indictments today
RESTORE PUBLIC INTEGRITY -- Cantrell is seen as possible target of federal probe
NWI Times
Mar 21, 2007
nwitimes.com/news/local/public-integrity-indictments-today/article_7de63f84-2a7a-5a79-98da-baa8728901d8.html
HAMMOND | Another public corruption indictment is scheduled to be unsealed today as part of U.S. Attorney Joseph Van Bokkelen's Operation Restore Public Integrity, Van Bokkelen's office reported Tuesday.

And political observers across Northwest Indiana say East Chicago political operative Robert Cantrell is a possible target of the federal probe.

The announcement at 1 p.m. today comes just days after politically connected drug-abuse counselor Nancy Fromm pleaded guilty to tax evasion and obstruction of justice. Fromm, a longtime political ally of Cantrell, is cooperating with investigators in exchange for a lighter jail term.

Cantrell's cell phone has not accepted phone calls at least since Thursday afternoon. His attorney and son, John Cantrell, declined to comment on Tuesday's announcement of impending indictments.

Federal officials have declined to speak about the ongoing investigation.

Fromm was targeted by a federal investigation into a pay-for-play scheme in which contracts for government services allegedly were given out in exchange for clandestine payments.

Fromm formerly employed Cantrell as a consultant who used his extensive government connections to bring business to Fromm's firm, Addiction and Family Care, authorities have said.

The firm is among several businesses that have arrangements with county, city and town judges to treat offenders who are ordered to attend counseling for drug and emotional problems.

Van Bokkelen previously has said Fromm was the victim of an extortion plot, although Fromm admitted failing to disclose her true income in 2003 on tax forms and hiding evidence of the income.

The firm's business has suffered from negative publicity surrounding Fromm's indictment, she has said.

Fromm's attorney, J. Michael Katz, of Highland, defended the quality of work that Addiction and Family Care has performed for its clients, saying it was not related to her guilty pleas.