Criminal probe opened into veterans agency mismanagement
A criminal investigation has been opened into mismanagement at the Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Official misconduct
Articles
Hill seeking $183K after ex-Whiteland fire official’s theft
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is seeking more than $180,000 in restitution from the former secretary-treasurer of the Whiteland Volunteer Fire Department after she pleaded guilty to misappropriating public funds for personal use.
Holcomb sent bill allowing pension restitution for stolen public funds
A bill that would allow taxpayers to recoup stolen funds from public officials’ pensions has received a few tweaks, but the bill’s chief aim has remained untouched.
Prosecutor Cooper facing 540 days of probation for guilty pleas
Elected Johnson County prosecutor Bradley D. Cooper pleaded guilty Monday to felony and misdemeanor charges, including criminal confinement and domestic battery. A plea agreement calls for him to serve 540 days of probation.
Theft of public funds bill awaits Holcomb’s signature
Communities seeking restitution from public servants who personally profited from taxpayer dollars might have a new way to recoup stolen funds.
Princeton officer faces misconduct charge after drugs allegedly tossed
Authorities say a southwestern Indiana police officer allowed a drug trafficking suspect to discard a bag of heroin before being taken to a police station. Illinois State Police say 28-year-old Princeton Officer Brandt George is free on bond after being charged with official misconduct.
Lake County deputy faces bribery, perjury counts in auto salvage scheme
A Lake County sheriff deputy is facing bribery and perjury charges after a three-month investigation revealed he illegally accepted cash for completing salvage vehicle inspection forms in order to make “fast and easy money,” according to authorities.
Bill: Public servants who steal would repay from pensions
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code on Wednesday unanimously stripped a proposed bill of language that would have required Indiana public officials to serve prison time for theft of taxpayer dollars. In its place, the committee added a provision to recoup any monetary losses from the pension funds of officials convicted of theft.
Elwood school chief quits after insurance fraud
A central Indiana school superintendent has resigned after being charged with using her insurance to help a sick student receive treatment. Casey Smitherman was charged Jan. 15 with insurance fraud, identity deception and official misconduct and resigned from her post as leader of Elwood Community Schools on Friday.
Elwood schools chief used own insurance for sick student
A Madison County school superintendent is free on bail after surrendering to police to face charges alleging she used her insurance to help a sick student receive treatment.
Ex-Gary city employee convicted in scheme to resell electronics
A former government employee in northwestern Indiana has been convicted in a scheme to use funds from the City of Gary to buy more than 1,000 pieces of computer equipment that she then resold.
Ex-superintendent of Gary schools faces misconduct charges
The former Gary Community Schools superintendent has been charged with double-billing the district for about $1,200 in expenses. Lake County prosecutors filed felony theft and official misconduct charges on Friday against Cheryl Pruitt, who resigned as superintendent in February after a state-appointed emergency manager took over the district as it faced more than $100 million in debt.
7th Circuit: Woman can’t sue county over worker’s sex assault
A woman serving court-ordered community service who claimed she was sexually assaulted by a Vigo County park maintenance worker lost her appeal of a judgment in favor of the county in her civil liability lawsuit Wednesday, despite what judges noted was a “horrific incident”.
Appeals court orders Yorktown clerk-treasurer’s removal
The Indiana Court of Appeals has ordered the removal of the Yorktown clerk-treasurer from office after determining that her failure to properly reconcile the town books for four consecutive years warranted her removal. In response, the elected office holder has pledged to take her case to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Ex-Bunker Hill town marshal faces misconduct, forgery case
Authorities say the former town marshal of Bunker Hill in Miami County provided false police credentials for an acquaintance so the person could be paid more while working as a security guard.
Former LaPorte mail carrier charged with not delivering mail
A former LaPorte mail carrier has been accused of paying someone to dispose of 11,000 pieces of mail and hiding another 6,000 in his home.