Jan
17
Almost Unforgivable
Filed Under GUEA, Willie Harris | Leave a Comment
It’s bad when the judge calls crimes “almost unforgivable” when sending away a politically-connected defendant to more than four years.
Writes the Post-Tribune’s Andy Grimm:
Gary attorney Willie Harris received a prison sentence of more than four years, nearly the maximum under federal guidelines, for his role in a scheme to defraud two not-for-profit groups in a 2001 land deal.
During a sentencing hearing Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Philip Simon called Harris’ conduct in a series of deals “almost unforgivable,” noting that to complete a series of fraudulent land sales, Harris bilked a charitable group founded by his aunt and forged the signature of a woman who considered him a brother.
“This is a case where the evidence is that Mr. Harris and the other defendants, but especially (Harris), is essentially preying on an old woman,” Simon said. “And an old woman who was a relative … and a client.
“What I have here is a profound abdication (of his duty) as a family member, as a taxpayer and as an attorney.”
Nov
13
GUEA Leader Gets Almost 6 Years
Filed Under GUEA, Jojuana Meeks, corruption, government waste | Leave a Comment
Breaking news from the federal court in Hammond!
Former Gary Urban Enterprise Association leader Jojuana Meeks gets sentenced to the slam for 5 years and 11 months in prison.
Even more painful is Jojuana Meeks’ restitution bill for $1.16 million for her role in stealing funds from GUEA that were supposed to help the poor.
The Northwest Indiana Times reports that Jojuana Meeks could have gotten more time, but she “flipped” and helped the feds get convictions of other Lake County pols.
“We believe Ms. Meeks’ testimony assisted the jury in reaching the verdict” to convict Lake County Councilman Will Smith Jr., attorney Willie Harris and former tax collector Roosevelt Powell for hiding income from a fraudulent land sale to the GUEA, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Bell said.
