Friday, December 16, 2016

12162016 - News Article - Sheriff's No. 2 takes plea deal, agrees to testify



Sheriff's No. 2 takes plea deal, agrees to testify
NWI Times
Updated - December 16, 2016 -11:00AM
HAMMOND — The Lake County sheriff's second-in-command, Timothy Downs, was cooperating with federal officials before they indicted him, Sheriff John Buncich and a towing operating last month on corruption charges.

A plea agreement says Downs resigned Thursday from the Sheriff's Department after attorneys filed the document in U.S. District Court.

In the plea agreement, Downs says Buncich ordered him to sell campaign fundraising tickets to towing companies and collect cash or checks from some of the owners.

Downs knew such activities were illegal, but did it to continue receiving his salary from the department, court records say.

As part of his plea deal, Downs agreed to testify during any grand jury or judicial proceedings.



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