Indiana town paying $150K to settle sex harassment claim
The northwestern Indiana town of St. John has agreed to pay a former police dispatcher $150,000 to settle her sexual harassment claim against a former police official and town councilman.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
Articles
Suit from truck driver shot by Merrillville police proceeds
The town of Merrillville and one of its police officers lost their bid for summary judgment on a truck driver’s excessive force claim after a district court judge determined questions of fact exist as to whether the officer was justified in shooting the driver during an altercation.
Excessive force case will proceed against officer who shot unarmed robbery suspect
An excessive force claim against a Fort Wayne police officer who shot an unarmed robber will continue after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana denied the officer’s motion for summary judgment.
IRS: 26 sentenced in Indiana last year on federal tax violations
A total of 26 people were sentenced for criminal federal tax violations in Indiana in 2017, according to the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. Agents said $2.5 billion in fraud was identified and boasted a 91.5 percent conviction rate.
Ex-Merrillville councilman pleads guilty to bribery
A former northwest Indiana town councilman has pleaded guilty to bribery for his role in an influence-buying scheme for towing contracts. The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported Thomas Goralczyk, 51, entered the plea Wednesday in federal court.
Ex-Lake County sheriff appealing federal conviction
A former Lake County sheriff is appealing his conviction in a public corruption case.
East Chicago facility settles suit over Clean Air Act violations
Cokenergy, SunCoke Energy and its subsidiary Indiana Harbor Coke Co. have reached a settlement including $5 million in penalties with the state and federal governments to clean up operations in East Chicago, resolving a case that involved hundreds of violations of federal pollution standards.
Keeping East Chicago lead cleanup a priority
Two Statehouse Democrats from northwest Indiana know the cleanup of the contamination site in East Chicago will not only take years but also a steady state commitment. Their legislation — and affected residents’ federal court cases — aim to keep the issue in the spotlight.
Federal courts open during government shutdown
With Congress failing to pass a budget measure by the deadline of midnight Saturday, and the federal government beginning the workweek amid a shutdown, federal judiciary officials sought to assure the public they are still open – for now.
Elkhart denies wrongful conviction amid Cooper lawsuit
A northern Indiana city is maintaining the guilt of a Chicago man convicted in a 1996 shooting after the man filed a lawsuit following his pardon.
Huntington chief deputy prosecutor appointed to Circuit Court bench
The Huntington County chief deputy prosecutor will soon transition to a judicial role on the Circuit Court bench.
Judge’s bid to seal exhibits denied in sex-based harassment case
A district court judge has struck down most aspects of a Huntington Circuit Court judge’s request to seal exhibits submitted as part of a sex-based harassment claim against him, finding the majority of the exhibits in question contain personal content not eligible to be kept from public view.
Gay inmate loses medical care, punitive segregation suit
A gay inmate who uses a man’s name but identifies as a woman has lost a summary judgment challenge in Indiana’s Northern District Court, where the inmate alleged she was intentionally assigned to medical segregation as a punitive measure.
School district cleared after teacher convicted of child seduction
A northern Indiana school corporation has been cleared of legal wrongdoing in the events leading up to the arrest of a high school teacher who was having a sexual relationship with a student. A district court judge granted the school district’s motions for summary judgment on Thursday.
Northern District Bankruptcy Court amends two local rules
The Indiana Northern District Bankruptcy Court has amended two of its local rules relating to costs and pre-trial procedures.
Feds seek 4-5-year sentence for ex-attorney in wire fraud case
A disbarred northern Indiana attorney who drained a grocery store receivership of more than $330,000 then covered up his crimes for more than a decade should receive a sentence of about four to five years in federal prison on Tuesday, prosecutors say.
Ex-Indiana sheriff’s bribery sentencing moved to January
The sentencing of former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich on his federal bribery and wire fraud conviction has been moved to mid-January.
Northern District Bankruptcy Court seeks comment on rule amendment
Indiana’s Northern District Bankruptcy Court is seeking public comment on a proposed addition to a local rule.
District court dismisses suit against police department for failure to investigate rape claim
A district court judge has dismissed both federal and state claims against a northern Indiana police department accused of failing to adequately investigate a rape case, finding the plaintiff and alleged rape victim failed to state a claim for relief on constitutional or equal protection grounds.
Free speech, fair trials collide at ex-Lake County sheriff’s sentencing
With Lake County seemingly awash in political corruption, a local newspaper is trying to uproot the culture of kickbacks and payouts by putting the spotlight on those who speak in favor of the latest elected official to be convicted. The Lake County Bar Association formally opposes the action.