Thursday, August 16, 2007

More corruption, more to come soon.


From the Indy Star today: We are trying to keep up with the corruption, but it is hard work.



Lawrence Township Trustee Mike Hobbs was charged today with two felonies on accusations he used fire department money to pay his rent.

Marion County prosecutors filed one count of theft and one count of official misconduct against Hobbs. Both are Class D felonies carrying maximum penalties of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine upon conviction.

Hobbs, 25, obtained a check for $500 from the Castleton Volunteer Fire Department and represented it as a charitable contribution, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Marion Superior Court. The check, made payable to "Park Harrison," was given by Hobbs to Park Harrison Apartment Complex in February to pay his rent, the affidavit says.

In the check's memo portion, the affidavit says, someone wrote "Lawrence Township Historical Society."

Reached at his office this afternoon, Hobbs said he would call back and quickly hung up. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on $10,000 bond.

Hobbs told an investigator he saw nothing wrong with using the check that way at the time, but said "it does look bad," according the affidavit. Hobbs said Lawrence Township Fire Department Chief Brian Wisehart and an assistant chief, both signatories on the Castleton department's account, gave him the check but didn't know it would be used to pay rent.

"He is a public official. He's entrusted with fund and entrusted with the idea that he is going to handle those funds responsibly," said Barbara Crawford, the prosecutor's chief charging deputy.

In Indiana, elected officials immediately lose their position if they are convicted of a felony. Hobbs, a Democrat, began serving as trustee in January. He previously served in Iraq as a U.S. Marine.

In June, Hobbs was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. That charge still is pending in Marion Superior Court.

Crawford said the charging process was handled normally in the new case after an investigation by Indiana State Police. Prosecutor Carl Brizzi is a Republican.

10 comments:

LEO Supporter said...

MONTICELLO, Ind. -- The city's mayor would lose his office but spend no time in jail under terms of his agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to charges that he submitted false reimbursement claims.

"I will continue to do my job so long as I'm allowed," Mayor Bob Fox said Wednesday.
Special Judge Kim Hall of Starke County is considering whether to accept the plea agreement filed Tuesday in White Superior Court.
If Hall accepts the deal by which Fox pleaded guilty to four felony counts of theft, the two-term Democrat would receive a three-year suspended sentence with one of those years on supervised probation. He also would have to pay the city of Monticello nearly $3,000 in restitution and perform 200 hours of community service, defense attorney Patrick Manahan said.
Fox, 71, was arrested April 27 following an 11-week state police investigation. The probe showed Fox was reimbursed $2,482 by the city for falsified claims submitted during 2004-06, police said. He was charged with 39 felony counts.
Clerk-Treasurer Rennatta Berkshire, whom Fox defeated in the May primary election, took the allegations to authorities in January. Republican candidate Jason Thompson is on the November ballot against Fox in the city of about 5,700 people some 25 miles north of Lafayette.
Monticello resident Donna Warner said she believed those who saw the mileage charges as minor missed the point.
"People have said what he did was like stealing a can of pop every day," she said. "Well, it's my can of pop and I didn't give him permission to take it."

Sir Hailstone said...

The hits just keep a-coming!!!

At this rate the entire city will be welcoming Mayor Greg Ballard with open arms!!

LEO Supporter said...

We can always hope, I have several yard signs, and my bumper sticker on! I put the Bart Lies sticker on my mailbox.

Chuckle, they aint seen nothing yet.

Anonymous said...

I have an interesting story for you. Do you have an email address I can send it to?

Anonymous said...

Of course, someone should investigate Center Township Assessor Eugene Akers. He is being paid a full time salary by the Assessors office, and continues to collect a full time salary from Indianapolis Public Schools...

Anonymous said...

> Cannibal Restaurant
>
>
>
> A cannibal was walking through the jungle and came
> upon a restaurant operated by a fellow cannibal.
> Feeling somewhat hungry, he sat down and looked over
> the menu...
>
>
>
> + Broiled Missionary: $10.00 + Fried Explorer:
> $15.00 + Grilled Republican: $20.00 + Baked
> Democrat: $100.00
>
>
>
> The cannibal called the waiter over and asked, 'Why
> such a price difference for the Democrat?'
>
>
>
> The cook replied, "Have you ever tried to clean one?
> They're so full of crap, it takes all morning."

GODHATESHIPPIES said...

Just found this blog spot from a fellow LEO. Thanks for the work you're doing...this city is in a terrible situation right now and I appreciate the good people who want to make a difference.

Anonymous said...

This is typical of The Democrat Machine!

Corruption, dishonesty, ghost employment, cronyism, nepotism....all at the taxpayer expense.

And look at all the elected Democrat on the tax delinquincy list! The Machine thinks it's exempt from taxes!

Anonymous said...

Dear Jeff: This source is credible. Can you put these two in touch? Thanks- Dave P.S. Letter below with some info. redacted. And don't forward my info. either, but you can paste / send the letter below.

______, I have lots of stuff to give to this indy corrupt, but I don't wish to post it, do you know who this person is? I wish to talk with them confidentially and off the record. I'm a little shy to say much because of the _______ with the City, so if this could be discreet, I'm in to help-________

Piper

LEO Supporter said...

You can send the email to coltsinsider@yahoo.com

I will not disclose anyone's name, ever. I would be happy to offer more information and details via email.

I am off for a short break from work, so timing is good for me right now.

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