Former Scheub adviser switches teams

CROWN POINT | Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub's former campaign manager is now working for Scheub's opponent.

Former Sheriff Roy Dominguez announced Tuesday that Jeff Popka will serve as chairman of his campaign to unseat Scheub as 2nd District commissioner in the Democratic Party primary May 8.

Popka said Tuesday he served as Scheub's campaign manager and close adviser for more than a decade until the two parted ways.

Scheub said five years ago their relationship soured after a 2005 Times investigation disclosed Popka's wife and son were on the county payroll. As a result of the disclosure, Scheub said he ordered Popka to fire his son. All three commissioners have power to dismiss county officials.

Their breach became public in 2007 when Popka resigned as fairgrounds superintendent after eight years in that job, after Scheub began receiving complaints about underage drinking parties in a park. Scheub oversees county parks and the Lake County Fairgrounds in his role as commissioner.

Dominguez, who was sheriff at that time, said Tuesday his detective bureau also investigated the complaints. "No charges were ever filed. The investigation was turned over to Gerry for whatever use he and his administration wanted to make of it," Dominguez said.

Popka said Tuesday he broke up the unauthorized parties but was criticized by Scheub "because I never called the police. By then I couldn't do anything right. The whole thing was a political witch hunt."

Scheub said Tuesday, "If he wants to back Roy, that's his privilege. Jeff and I were friends for a long time and I'm not going to say anything negative about him."

Dominguez states in his announcement, "We are delighted to have someone with Jeff's knowledge, experience and willingness to work hard as part of the team. Jeff is someone who knows the political landscape of the 2nd District, and I look forward to a successful campaign."

Popka said, "I have known Gerry for many years, and I believe it is time for the Lake County voters in the 2nd District to move beyond all the Scheub failures and get someone with the talents of Roy Dominguez as commissioner."

Dominguez said he has made no promises to Popka or anyone else about jobs in county government if he is elected commissioner.