Feds: Concrete work was foundation for East Chicago corruption

EAST CHICAGO | The corrupting mix of concrete and bribery continued to pave East Chicago's political landscape beyond the infamous sidewalks-for-votes scandal of the previous decade, recent federal court filings show.

Another E.C. city employee to face federal charges

EAST CHICAGO | The marina dockmaster of East Chicago is the latest municipal employee to be painted by federal prosecutors into a mosaic of alleged crimes and corruption dating back several decades.

East Chicago settles retaliation and discrimination lawsuit

HAMMOND | An undisclosed settlement has been reached in the discrimination and retaliation case of a former East Chicago employee who sued the city, its former mayor and human services director.

E.C. partially settles federal lawsuit for $252K

Two East Chicago City Council members and a former city employee will receive $252,000 to settle their federal lawsuit against the city, Hammond federal court records show.

East Chicago addressing long-standing challenges

EAST CHICAGO | After a year of "rolling up our sleeves and getting to work," East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland, now with a four-year mandate from voters, said 2012 will be "a year of purpose" in addressing the city's long-standing challenges.

Ethics expert touts need for involvement

VALPARAISO | Being unethical doesn't always mean a person is doing something illegal, Carla Miller told a group of about 80 who attended Wednesday's luncheon presentation on ethics at Valparaiso University.

E.C. plaintiff settles in Pabey administration 'retaliation' case

HAMMOND | One of six plaintiffs alleging political retaliation under former East Chicago Mayor George Pabey's administration reached a settlement Tuesday with the city, and two more plaintiffs are expected to settle soon.

Court denies Pabey's request to vacate or reduce prison time

A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld former East Chicago Mayor George Pabey's convictions and five-year prison term for conspiracy and embezzlement of public funds.

Court ruling in U.S. v. Pabey appeal

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago Wednesday upheld the conviction and 60-month prison sentence of former East Chicago Mayor George Pabey for conspiracy and embezzlement of public funds.

MARK KIESLING: Blago's ignorance plea familiar, but hollow

Once upon a time, it used to be that the last refuge of a scoundrel was patriotism.

MARK KIESLING: Copeland's E.C. win a history-maker, too

The media have been making a lot of the victory of Karen Freeman-Wilson as the first black female mayor in Indiana.

ENDORSEMENT: We endorse Copeland in East Chicago

The East Chicago mayoral race has three candidates, but it's really a two-way race.

MARK KIESLING: Entitlement mentality still runs deep

Sometimes you want to shake your head at the doings of local politicians and ask, "What were they thinking?"

Former E.C. Mayor Pabey, city's defense enter motion to have civil suit dropped

HAMMOND | Attorneys on behalf of George Pabey and the city of East Chicago filed motions Tuesday asking the court to rule in their favor without a trial in a civil lawsuit against them.

Professor's law schools E.C. on why corruption doesn't pay

East Chicago has been an icon of public corruption because it has too many residents in desperate need of city services and too few political parties in charge, a Notre Dame professor all too familiar with the Twin Cities recently observed.

EDITORIAL: Crime insurance for East Chicago

East Chicago finally is considering a blanket bond policy to provide coverage against theft of city funds by city employees. It's a sad but necessary development.

East Chicago considers 'crime insurance' for all employees

EAST CHICAGO | The city is shopping around for a so-called "crime insurance policy" to cover the behavior of employees, commissioners and other workers.

DOUG ROSS: Legislators need to sort out ethical issues

The General Assembly has done the easy work on implementing the Kernan-Shepard report, but now it's time to make the tougher choices. Lawmakers need look no further for inspiration than the recent news from the Lake County clerk's office.

EDITORIAL: One more political pal on payroll

Lake County officials have squawked in recent years, and for good reason, about the need to bring costs under control. That includes reducing the payroll — which makes the hiring of Hilda Pabey so strange.

Independence Day comes early for new Lake candidates

CROWN POINT | Independent candidates have filed to oppose East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland and Hammond City Judge Jeffrey Harkin in the Nov. 8 general election.