11092010 - News Article - Clay defends visits by convicted friend

Clay defends visits by convicted friend

Post-Tribune (IN)
November 9, 2010 

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GARY -- Mayor Rudy Clay defends frequent visits by convicted businessman Roosevelt Powell to City Hall's executive offices, saying the red carpet is out "for anybody who wants to visit me." 

"I'm certainly not going to turn away my friend," Clay said. 

A federal jury convicted Powell, a former Lake County tax collector, in 2007 for his role in a fraudulent scheme to use the Gary Historical Society's tax-exempt status to pocket $150,000. Also convicted were Lake County Councilman Will Smith and attorney Willie Harris. 

He was released from prison in May after serving his sentence, and since then has been seen repeatedly in City Hall's mayoral suite. Attempts to reach him since Clay made his comments have been unsuccessful. The mayor said Powell is helping him with his 2011 re-election campaign. 

Clay also said anyone can visit him in his City Hall offices. 

"I'm not a fair-weather friend," Clay said. "He's not on the city payroll. He does not influence city policy, and he does not have a city contract." 

Clay has been steadfast in his defense of Powell ever since Powell's indictment four years ago, saying the businessman "is one of my two closest friends in the world." 

But he's not the only person around City Hall Clay finds himself defending these days. City attorney Carl Jones was convicted last week of trafficking with an inmate, a Class A misdemeanor. Jones said during his trial a vendetta by a Lake County deputy prosecutor led to the charges. 

Clay likened the crime last week to running a red light. 

"It doesn't mean anything as far as his job is concerned," Clay said. "All it is is a misdemeanor." 

And Community Development Director Jacquelyn Drago - Hunter was indicted by a federal grand jury last month on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The grand jury didn't say she mismanaged tax money, and Clay said he's keeping her in charge of millions in stimulus dollars handled by her department. Drago - Hunter pleaded not guilty, but she has declined to comment otherwise. After the indictment was unsealed, Clay said she "is a great God-fearing person from a great God-fearing family." 

"She's keeping her job," he said.