Free Republic

EAST CHICAGO (AP) Residents in East Chicago have an extra hour to vote in today's Democratic mayoral primary. Judge Steven King ordered that all polling places remain open until 8 p-m. King also ordered that voting continue in Precinct 14 until 9:30 tonight because an inspector assigned to the precinct didn't show up this morning, causing the poll to open late. King indicated in his order that he extended voting hours to prevent the possibility of voters being disenfranchised. The primary is being rerun after the state Supreme Court threw out last year's results because of widespread corruption. Mayor Robert...

Witness unveils campaign tactics PUBLIC CORRUPTION: Former Pastrick worker testifies paving projects were part of vote-buying effort. BY BILL DOLAN, Times Staff Writer This story ran on nwitimes.com on Friday, October 22, 2004 12:15 AM CDT SOUTH BEND -- A veteran of East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick's campaigns gave a federal jury a lesson Thursday in the city's hardball politics. Byron Florence testified he helped win re-election for Pastrick and City Councilman Frank Kollintzas in 1999 by directing free concrete to city residents in return for their support Florence said he also disenfranchised anti-Pastrick voters by luring them into illegally...

Concrete connection? EAST CHICAGO: Prosecutors say sidewalks, driveways paved way for votes in 1999 primary. BY BILL DOLAN Times Staff Writer This story ran on nwitimes.com on Sunday, October 3, 2004 12:04 AM CDT EAST CHICAGO -- Federal prosecutors said City Councilman Frank Kollintzas delivered on his campaign promises in 1999 even when it meant breaking the law. Kollintzas, the 4th District Democrat, allegedly knocked on Hope Cortez's door while campaigning for re-election five years ago and pledged to cover her whole back yard in concrete if she wanted. City contractors sent to her home allegedly couldn't believe their ears...

Feds: Pastrick tied to sidewalks-for-votes scheme COURTS: E.C. Sidewalk 6 trial documents allege conspiracy was widespread. BY BILL DOLAN Times Staff Writer This story ran on nwitimes.com on Friday, October 1, 2004 12:10 AM CDT EAST CHICAGO -- Federal prosecutors named Mayor Robert Pastrick and 14 political allies as unindicted co-conspirators in the 1999 sidewalk scandal that allegedly transformed $20 million in public money into concrete and votes for their re-election. The U.S. attorney's office filed a 44-page document this week that provides a preview of the government's effort to prove six city officials who go on trial Monday in...

PUBLIC CORRUPTION: Residents say Stiglich campaign workers bought votes with cash, crack BY BILL DOLAN Times Staff Writer This story ran on nwitimes.com on Thursday, September 30, 2004 12:04 AM CDT EAST CHICAGO -- Allegations that votes were purchased with crack cocaine and money in the city's 1999 mayoral election were made public Wednesday. More than a dozen East Chicago residents told Lake County police detectives five years ago about violations of state election laws involving absentee ballots cast in their name for Stephen R. "Bob" Stiglich, who was challenging Mayor Robert Pastrick. Lake County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez ordered...