Trial of Indiana secretary of state gets under way
Indiana's secretary of state began facing voter-fraud charges Tuesday in a case that could decide if he remains as the state's top election official.
Indiana's secretary of state began facing voter-fraud charges Tuesday in a case that could decide if he remains as the state's top election official.
Kim Hutchison, 52, the former treasurer of Greenwood-based J. Greg Allen Builders and Princeton Homes, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for allegedly stealing more than $446,000 from the now-closed companies.
One case involves an Indianapolis attorney accused of stealing nearly $600,000 from two accounts she oversaw as trustee. The other involves the theft of $200,000 from the foundation of a national collegiate fraternity.
The Indiana Republican State Committee has agreed to pay back $87,875 in political contributions it received from indicted financier Tim Durham. In addition, a political group supporting Gov. Mitch Daniels agreed to a $10,000 settlement.
Two Indianapolis women were charged Tuesday with making false claims to try to collect money from funds intended for victims of the Indiana State Fair stage collapse.
Defendants include companies affiliated with Indianapolis restaurateur Henri Najem, the rapper Ludracis and former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Blair Kiel.
Kexue Huang was sentenced after pleading guilty in October to sending Dow AgroSciences trade secrets to China and Germany.
A City-County Council member and two associates persuaded an Indiana physician to invest $1.7 million in their foundation and an ethanol-production business they said would fund it, but instead spent the money on personal luxuries, according to a federal indictment filed late Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors are recommending that Kexue Huang be sentenced to 87 months in prison for sending trade secrets worth millions to China and Germany.
The indictment charges the Democrat and associates used a charitable foundation to obtain money from a doctor that was to be used for investments, but instead went toward vehicles, entertainment and travel for themselves and others.
Hamilton Superior Court Judge Steven Nation says Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White must face trial on criminal charges including voter fraud that could lead to his removal from office.
Several state employees openly questioned how John Bales' real estate brokerage did business long before the FBI launched an investigation that led to his indictment.
A grand jury in South Bend has returned a 14-count criminal indictment against Indianapolis real estate broker John M. Bales and two associates over a state lease deal in Elkhart that was first revealed as part of an IBJ investigation.
Prosecutors allege Fishers investment manager Keenan Hauke hid losses for seven years by shifting assets among accounts and using new investors’ money to fund withdrawals.
The federal judge said class counsel achieved “fabulous results with incredible efficiency” and that he had never been more proud of his profession in his 36-year legal career.
The Fair Finance trustee alleged that, in addition to being huge campaign contributors to former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, Tim Durham and his companies helped cover Brizzi’s personal expenses.
Edward Rau III of Munster is accused of defrauding the Ameristar Casino by ordering dealers to give chips to a Chicago man who would cash them in and split the money with Rau.
Kexue Huang faces up to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday morning to sending trade secrets worth millions to China and Germany.
Former City-County Councilor Lincoln Plowman had asked a judge to overturn his attempted extortion and bribery convictions after a jury found him guilty of the charges Sept. 15.
A former Indiana scientist has agreed to plead guilty to charges of illegally sending trade secrets worth $300 million to China and Germany.