Acting U.S. Attorney Bell named Indiana Northern District Court clerk
Gary T. Bell will be tasked with legal and administrative duties such as managing the court’s budget, information technology, jury services and processing staff.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana
Articles
Open federal judiciary seats bring calls to focus on the process
As he marked the two-month anniversary of his presidency, Joe Biden had not nominated anyone to either the federal bench or a U.S. Attorney’s Office, which distinguished him from his two most recent predecessors. One retired member of Indiana’s judiciary, however, is calling attention to the worrisome problem that beyond open positions, the state has no clearly defined process for identifying qualified Hoosiers to fill the vacancies.
Goshen bankruptcy preparer pleads guilty to federal indictment
A nonlawyer who prepared bankruptcy petitions for northern Indiana clients has pleaded guilty to two counts of subornation of perjury for falsely claiming in court filings that she was paid half the fee she actually charged clients.
Justice Department seeks resignations of Trump-era U.S. attorneys
The Justice Department will ask U.S. attorneys who were appointed by former President Donald Trump to resign from their posts, as the Biden administration moves to transition to its own nominees, a senior Justice Department official said Monday.
Northern District seeking new clerk as Trgovich to retire
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is accepting applications for a new clerk of court in anticipation of a vacancy in the post this summer. The current clerk, Robert N. Trgovich, has announced he will retire this summer.
Trump’s impact on courts likely to last long beyond his term
On this, even President Donald Trump’s most fevered critics agree: He has left a deep imprint on the federal courts that will outlast his one term in office for decades to come.
Bell named acting US attorney for Northern District
Gary T. Bell has been named the acting United States attorney for the Northern District of Indiana following the confirmation of former Northern District Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Senate prepares to vote on Kirsch nomination to 7th Circuit
Thomas Kirsch, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, will likely get one step closer to joining the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals today with the U.S. Senate scheduled to vote on the cloture motion for his nomination at 5:30 p.m.
Kirsch nomination to succeed Barrett on 7th Circuit moves to full Senate
The nomination of Hoosier Thomas Kirsch II to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was approved Thursday by the Judiciary Committee and will be sent to the U.S. Senate for a confirmation vote.
Minority groups highlight need for diversity on all-white 7th Circuit
The lack of diversity on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals – which would remain unchanged if nominee Thomas Kirsch II is confirmed to fill the current vacancy – is prompting minority groups to speak out and call upon elected officials and the judiciary to appoint judges from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Kirsch questioned about Chicago crime guns during confirmation hearing
During his allotted time to question Thomas Kirsch II about his potential confirmation to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, bypassed all inquiries about the judiciary and pressed the nominee on the flow of guns from Indiana to Chicago.
Kirsch pressed on originalism at 7th Circuit confirmation hearing
As many judicial nominees before him have done, Thomas Kirsch II told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that he would apply the law as written but his explanations of how he would interpret statutes brought intense scrutiny from senators on both sides of aisle.
Confirmation hearing for Kirsch set for today
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana Thomas Kirsch II is scheduled to appear before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday as he begins the confirmation process to fill the vacancy on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals created by the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Federal prosecutor on deck to fill potential 7th Circuit vacancy
Thomas L. Kirsch II, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, has been nominated by the White House to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is in line to fill Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s seat on the appellate court if she is confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ex-Lake County Sheriff Buncich resentenced for bribery, fraud
A former northwestern Indiana sheriff has been resentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for accepting bribes from towing businesses. The sentence is about three years less than long-serving former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich received after he was convicted in a 2017 public corruption case.
Union workers involved in beatings plead guilty to extortion conspiracy
Two union members involved in a fight outside of a church in Lake County have pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act extortion conspiracy after attempting to obtain union contracts from two employers that refused to only hire local union workers.
Indiana woman pleads guilty to aiding Islamic State group
An Indiana woman whose husband died in Syria has pleaded guilty to providing financial support to the Islamic State group.
Manpower, technology changes impact low wiretap use
According to data released by the United States Courts, wiretapping in federal and state courts was down by a combined 23 percent in 2018 compared to 2017. Likewise in Indiana, federal and state courts authorized 75 wiretaps in 2017, but only 46 in 2018, according to the data. Experts say staffing and law enforcement resources, as well as the cyclical ebb and flow of complex surveillance work account for the decline.
Alleged Latin King gang member convicted in deadly drug conspiracy
Federal prosecutors in northern Indiana say an alleged member of the Latin Kings gang has been convicted of conspiracy and racketeering charges in a scheme to distribute illegal drugs.
Feds in Hammond announce indictments of Chicago gang members
Several alleged members of a Chicago-based street gang have been indicted on charges that they killed or injured more than 40 people in shootings, stabbings and assaults in Chicago and Indiana dating back to 2006.