Cops under investigation oversaw maligned jail fund

Two Lake County sheriff's officers named as targets in a federal investigation oversaw a department discretionary fund that went nearly unchecked in the past several years.

Pabey wants new trial or sentence

HAMMOND | Federally convicted former East Chicago Mayor George Pabey wants either a new trial or a new sentence.

No death penalty sought in gang murder case

HAMMOND | Federal prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against five reported gang members accused of murder.

M'ville doctor seeks new lawyer, plea drop

HAMMOND | A Merrillville doctor has fired his attorney as he awaits sentencing on a federal drug charge to which he claims he was coerced to plead guilty.

Child pornographer to pay victim far less than requested

HAMMOND | A federal judge Wednesday ordered a convicted child pornographer to pay his victim a fraction of what prosecutors sought in restitution.

Gary quadruple murder convict in court this week

CROWN POINT | A Gary man whose 240-year prison sentence in a quadruple murder was overturned is due in Lake County court Wednesday, possibly to again face charges.

Proposed Jackson facility not a done deal for likely mayoral successor

GARY | When he stood alongside Joe Jackson last June, Gary Mayor Rudy Clay was clear: Everyone should back the multimillion-dollar plan for a Jackson Family center.

Jackson deal 'fairly dead in the water'

One year after Gary agreed to give a Las Vegas group hundreds of acres of city property, even organizers admit little has been done. "As far as we're concerned, nothing has happened," said Councilwoman Marilyn Krusas.

E.C. settles former worker discrimination suit

HAMMOND | The city of East Chicago has settled a race and age discrimination suit filed by a former employee.

Investigated cop played gun auction expert

The owner of a Hobart auction firm temporarily is cutting ties with a Lake County police officer under federal watch, but called his colleague a "trustworthy guy."

SLICE OF LIFE: Oprah not among my 'favorite things'

I won't miss Oprah.

Pabey to report to prison Wednesday

CHICAGO | George Pabey must go to prison. For the second time this month, the federally convicted former East Chicago mayor has been denied a request not to report to prison as scheduled on Wednesday.

Pabey files second plea for freedom

HAMMOND | For the second time this month, former East Chicago Mayor George Pabey is asking not to report to prison in a week.

Judge: Pabey must go to prison

HAMMOND | Former East Chicago Mayor George Pabey must report to prison in about two weeks, a federal judge ordered Friday. Senior Judge James Moody denied Pabey's request to stay out of prison while he appeals his conviction and five-year sentence for conspiring to steal from his city.

Pabey seeks freedom during appeal of graft conviction

HAMMOND | Former East Chicago Mayor George Pabey is hoping to avoid reporting to prison in two weeks.

Gov't: United Water knew about wastewater violations for years

HAMMOND | Gary wastewater contractors continued breaking environmental law for years, though they had been advised as early as 2003 their process was "a recipe for disaster," court records allege.

Suit: Centier, Peoples banks got Ponzi money

HAMMOND | A federal lawsuit hopes to recoup millions from two region banks it claims profited from an $80 million Ponzi scheme.

SLICE OF LIFE: Think your job is hard?

Like most people, some days, I curse my job.

Senate race: Who's 'in touch' with Hoosiers?

For the first time in years, U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar's re-election to Congress appears uncertain.

Bayh still spending campaign cash

In February 2010, Evan Bayh shocked the world of politics by announcing he would leave it.

Weinberger trial set for Jan. 9

HAMMOND | After a failed attempt at a plea deal with federal prosecutors, infamous "Nose Doctor" Mark Weinberger is set to go to trial Jan. 9.

Hoosier 9/11 expert: Death 'hugely important'

One-time Midwest lawmakers who painstakingly scrutinized Osama bin Laden's hatred of the United States cautiously celebrate his demise.

Feds want 5 years for Pabey

HAMMOND | Prosecutors want George Pabey to spend five years in prison for his "brazen" theft of public funds -- and public trust.

SLICE OF LIFE: Goodbye, Nana

I couldn't believe it. As people filed past my grandmother's coffin, were we really playing "When The Saints Go Marching In"?

Empowerment Zone management: lax or 'lame duck?'

By its own admission, the Gary-East Chicago-Hammond Empowerment Zone was not out to make money.

Empowerment Zone 'success' stories hard to define

Edward Garza took particular pride in paying his final bill to the Gary-East Chicago-Hammond Empowerment Zone. The zone had shown kindness and patience to him and his third-generation East Chicago business when banks had not, he said.

'Nose Doc' victims protest 'cushy deal'

HAMMOND | A week before he faces sentencing, Mark Weinberger's victims are pleading for a federal judge to reject a plea deal for the "Nose Doctor."

Camacho gets 30 months in corruption case

HAMMOND | Taking a wide, frustrated swing at public corruption, a federal judge on Friday sentenced former East Chicago engineering supervisor Jose Camacho to 30 months in prison.

Former Gary officer guilty in beating; victim awarded $850K

HAMMOND | A federal jury has awarded a Gary man $850,000 for injuries he suffered in a 2007 arrest by city police that left him partially blind.

United Water wants federal suit tossed

HAMMOND | A contractor accused of breaking federal water protection laws said it committed no crimes and was following the government's requirements.

Phone book suit v. attorney Allen transferred

HAMMOND | In a twist of irony, Valparaiso lawyer Ken Allen is being sued over his omnipresent phone book ads.

Feds sue Weinberger over retirement funds

HAMMOND | U.S. labor officials are suing Merrillville's "Nose Doc" to retrieve thousands in abandoned retirement funds.

SLICE OF LIFE: Delicious vicariousness

The patrons at Schererville's Ciao Bella last weekend must have wondered what all the fuss was about.

Clay suspension tosses Gary election to skies

GARY | The next mayor of Gary could be selected by the city's nearly 120 precinct committeemen.

Gov't wants high sentence for Camacho

HAMMOND | Saying a message must be sent to other unscrupulous public officials, federal prosecutors are seeking as long a sentence as possible for former East Chicago municipal supervisor Jose Camacho.

Slain toddler's family upset over convict's 'second chance'

For years now, 12-year-old Michael has named every family dog A.J., after his younger brother killed seven years ago.

Gary man's conviction in quadruple murder reversed

INDIANAPOLIS | An appeals court threw out the 240-year sentence of a Gary gang leader convicted in 2004 in a horrific, quadruple homicide and robbery.

Fed case against United Water advancing

HAMMOND | A federal case status report reveals the depth of the government's case against United Water for alleged environmental crimes.

Supporters file letters for convicted former E.C. official

HAMMOND | Loved ones call former East Chicago city employee Jose Camacho a loyal, kind man who overcame a tough childhood to bring pride to his family.

S'ville woman pleads in real estate scams

HAMMOND | In the months before the national mortgage crisis hit, Sheila Chandler scammed mortgage companies out of thousands of dollars to "make money to take care of my family."