RICH JAMES: Raykovich has baggage, so send him packing

One of the guys at the heart of the East Chicago sidewalks-for-votes scandal wants to get into Lake County government.

McDermott prepares for four more years at helm of Democratic Party

HAMMOND | Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. can comfortably settle in for four more years as Lake County Democratic party boss.

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.

Agreement filed to dismiss civil lawsuit against former East Chicago mayor

HAMMOND | The parties in a civil lawsuit against former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick filed an agreement in federal court to dismiss the case.

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.

EDITORIAL: We endorse Zoeller for attorney general

Hoosier voters face two choices in the attorney general's race this fall — Republican Greg Zoeller and Democrat Kay Fleming. Zoeller is the better choice.

Civil suit v. former E.C. mayor on hold over bankruptcy filing

HAMMOND | A civil lawsuit filed against former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick is on hold because he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, federal court records show.

Welcome to Republican fight night: Power struggles make local unity elusive

CROWN POINT | Prospects appear bright for Lake County Republicans this spring. And political infighting in a once-moribund local party shows many active hopefuls are trying to garner power and influence for the first time in decades.

E.C. casino settlement on Zoeller's accomplishments list

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has East Chicago on his mind when he looks back at the year's accomplishments and looks ahead to 2012.

Former top Dem loses M'ville home

CROWN POINT | A recent foreclosure on controversial East Chicago political insider Michael Pannos' Merrillville home marks the third property the embattled politico has lost to the banks within about a year.

Gaming Commission approves settlements in E.C. casino lawsuits

INDIANAPOLIS | Years of court battles over who gets East Chicago's casino-paid economic development funds are near an end after the Indiana Gaming Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved a settlement reached between the parties.

Author of federal act used to prosecute former E.C. mayor explains RICO's power

CROWN POINT | The public's first reaction to government corruption is usually a demand to throw some elected rascal behind bars.

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.

Pastrick files to dismiss case, says no profit from Sidewalk Six

HAMMOND | Former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick reaped no benefit from the Sidewalk Six scandal, he has alleged in an attempt to have the state's claim for his money dismissed.

U.S. trustee deems Pastrick's bankruptcy case not an abuse

HAMMOND | A federal trustee determined that former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick's income is not too high to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after the trustee reviewed additional documents.

Feds: Pastrick makes too much money to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

HAMMOND | Former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick's income is too high to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a federal trustee determined Friday.

EDITORIAL: Let RDA put E.C.'s money to work

While the controversy over East Chicago's local development agreement revenue from Ameristar Casino drags on, the money continues to roll in. Yet it is accomplishing nothing for the citizens of East Chicago.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Trust RDA to guard East Chicago funds

At the Jan. 20 meeting of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority board, I presented my case for the creation of a trusteeship that would oversee the millions of dollars in casino revenue that are intended for the sole benefit of the citizens of East Chicago.

RDA board may control E.C. development funds

INDIANAPOLIS | The Regional Development Authority may be given control of East Chicago economic development funds that have been tied up in lawsuits for the past six years.