Observors: Van Til's indictment adds to region's political corruption stain

CROWN POINT | Prominent Lake County Democrat George Van Til's indictment Friday on felony fraud charges has local politicos wondering just how many more black eyes the party will take in the federal government's ongoing corruption probe.

Judge: Philpot will not be released pending the outcome of his appeal

HAMMOND | A federal judge on Tuesday denied former Lake County Coroner Tom Philpot's request to be released on bond pending appeal of his criminal convictions, federal court records show.

EDITORIAL: Government employees need ethics training

There's a difference between what's ethical and what's legal. What former Lake County Clerk Tom Philpot did — stealing child support money — was illegal. But it was unethical as well.

EDITORIAL: Justice is served, once more, in Lake County

When U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody sentenced former Lake County Clerk Tom Philpot on Thursday, it was good news for ethics in government.

DOUG ROSS: Prison isn't only place where guard changes

So Tom Philpot is going to prison. I can hear rejoicing and see heads shaking as Philpot becomes political history in Lake County.

Judge: No new trial for Philpot

HAMMOND | A federal judge on Tuesday denied a request for a new trial for former Lake County official Thomas Philpot while agreeing to dismiss two of the five counts against him.

Philpot supporters inundate court with letters

HAMMOND | Fifty family members, longtime friends, former podiatry patients, neighbors, business associates and political leaders have written letters to a federal judge in support of former Lake County official Tom Philpot seeking leniency as he faces sentencing on five counts of embezzlement.

MARK KIESLING: If you can't do the time, don't do the job

There are 24 hours in a day, eight of which we spend asleep, but apparently some candidates for public office feel they can jam the 16 remaining hours with two full-time jobs.

EDITORIAL: Philpot provides incentive for ethics training

Yet another politician has been removed from office because of public corruption. Former Lake County Clerk Thomas Philpot was convicted on five counts of theft and fraud charges.

Philpot guilty on all five counts

HAMMOND | A U.S. District Court jury convicted Lake County Coroner and former county Clerk Thomas Philpot on Friday on five counts of theft and fraud charges.

MARK KIESLING: Methinks Philpot doth protest too much

Lake County Coroner Tom Philpot is grasping at what might be the last straw.

MARK KIESLING: Hammond voting may show which way political winds are blowing

Voting in Lake County's largest Democratic organization resulted in a couple of surprises Monday night.

PHIL WIELAND: Get ready for some more Amazing predictions

The new year dawned full of promise and hope and other delusions, which means it's time again for the soothiest of soothsayers, the man who puts the "dam" in Nostradamus, the Amazing Wielando.

AL HAMNIK: Good memories are forever fleeting in this business

Readers think we spend our time rubbing elbows with college and professional sports stars and getting the VIP treatment while earning a fat paycheck.

MARK KIESLING: Mr. Philpot, you should've known better

If your lawyer told you it was safe to fling yourself into the Grand Canyon, I doubt many of you would take the advice.

MARK KIESLING: Indictments may induce cooperation from inside the pen

Lake County history is replete with characters who never have held public office yet wielded extraordinary political power.

MARK KIESLING: Indictments deliver one-two punch to local Dems

With a pair of indictments handed out Thursday by the U.S attorney in Hammond, the federal government has dealt what could be a devastating one-two punch to the Democratic power structure in Lake County.