Prosecution questions 'silly' classes
Did Cantrell profit from co-workers' training classes?
NWI Times
May 30, 2008
nwitimes.com/news/local/prosecution-questions-silly-classes/article_1d10f08d-e8a9-597e-84d9-a3729d4d5dfe.html
HAMMOND | While his co-workers were forced to attend classes on such essential workplace functions as yoga and "The Art of Assertiveness," Robert Cantrell was collecting a cut of every dollar spent on the so-called training, prosecutors say.
Defense attorney Kevin Milner disagreed, and protested Thursday's courtroom recitation of the "silly" classes that Cantrell's co-workers had to attend such as "How to Stop Procrastination, Part Two."
Milner said prosecutors will not prove that Cantrell ever illegally received money related to the classes, which was why he didn't want them read in court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Orest Szewciw said the titles of the classes are exactly on point.
"The government is going to show that (Cantrell) himself proposed all these services," Szewciw said. "It was being done for one reason alone -- so that Mr. Cantrell could continue to receive his $1,000 a month."
Prosecutors say -- and Cantrell denies -- that Cantrell took illegal kickbacks from the North Township contractor that taught the classes, Addiction and Family Care. Cantrell was the manager of the township's poor relief office in East Chicago.
Cantrell admits he took commissions for other deals he arranged for the company, but denies he was paid for the North Township deal or from a contract the firm had with his daughter, Lake Superior Court Judge Julie Cantrell.
In opening statements, after Milner told the jury about Robert Cantrell's Bronze Star for fighting in the first Iraq conflict, the defense attorney said his client always was adamant that none of his money come from illegal sources.
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