The month of April featured the largest single-month decline in Indiana's unemployment rate in over a year... with a big decrease in the Region. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development also says April recorded the biggest drop in the total number of unemployed in over a year. The report issued Friday showed Indiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by point-two [0.2] percent to eight-and-a-half [8.5] percent in April,a decrease of point-two-percent. Private sector employment in the Hoosier state also increased by 68-hundred [6,800] jobs over the past month and exceeded the national rate of growth. Labor force estimates show the jobless rate in Northwest Indiana dropped from 10-point-three in March to 9.1 percent last month.
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Read more: Jobless Rate Falls in the Region

United states Attorney David Capp announced three indictments were returned as a result of investigations by the public corruption task force including charges against Lake County Surveyor George Van Til.   Lake County's current Surveyor is charged with six counts of wire fraud and two counts of obstruction of justice.
Capp says the indictment alleges that Van til, beginning in or about November 2007 and continuing through December 2012, devised a scheme to defraud Lake County of money and property by utilizing county employees to perform personal services and political services so that Van Til would be re-electd as Lake County Surveyor.
The indictment also alleges that Van Til directed an employee to remove a hard drive from a Lake County computer and to replace it with another hard drive, according to attorney Capp.  The indictment further alleges that Van Til told that same employee "And by the way, if by some chance down the line there's ever a conversation, we never had these conversations."  Van Til's alleged conduct with respect to this particular employee forms the basis for the two obstruction of justice counts.
Attorney Capp says the investigation into the allegations came about through a tip from a citizen.
Two other indictments were announced this afternoon in Hammond Federal Court, which Attorney Capp stresses are unrelated except for the fact they all involve some aspect of public corruption or public funds.   One indictment charges a Pennsylvania owner and operator of an armament company located in Philadelphia with nine counts.  Capp says the indictment alleges that the owner conspired with two former Lake County Sheriff deputies to make false statements concerning the acquisition of firearms.  Capp says both former deputies were indicted for this conduct in September 2010 and  both have since plead guilty, are awaiting sentencing and cooperating with the United States Attorney's Office.
The third indictment announced this afternoon charges Roman Perez, 41, of Crown Point, with one count of making false statements under oath on a tax return and one count of making a false statement in a bankruptcy proceeding.  The indictment alleges that Perez understated his total taxable income for 2007 by approximately $110,108.00, of which approximately $80,000 constituted payments from both the Treasurer of Lake County and the Lake County Sheriff's Commissary Fund, to Roman Art Inc., a graphic design business owned and operated by Perez; and that Perez understated his gross income for the year 2009 by an amount in excess of $40,000 in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case.  The United States Attorney's Office will today file a plea agreement wherein Perez has agreed to plead guilty to these charges and will cooperate with the United States Attorney's Office.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. 

U.S. Attorney David Capp at todays press conference at the federal Courthouse in Hammond. 
 
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Read more: Van Til Charged with Wire Fraud and Obstruction of Justice

One person was killed after two-vehicle crash in Newton County this morning. The Newton County Sheriff's Office reports officers responded to the scene, at approximately 11am, on U-S 41, near County Road 15-hundred South, located just north of Kentland. The Sheriff's Office says reports indicate the driver was heading north when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle drifted off the roadway and when the driver attempted to return to the roadway, lost control, crossed the median and into the path of a southbound tractor trailer driven by a 36 year old Illinois man. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the truck driver was not injured. At last check, the name of the deceased was being withheld pending notification of next of kin and the crash remains under investigation.
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Read more: One Dead After Car Vs Semi Crash North of Kentland

The Indiana State Board of Accounts have forwarded a report to the Lake County Prosecutor and the Attorney General alleging a former extracurricular treasurer for two Gary High Schools owes almost six-thousand dollars for missing fees and ticket sales receipts between 2010 and 2012. The Times reports Darrellyn Wilson is also accused of failing to ensure ticket sales for events, and auditors want an additional 42-hundred dollars to reimburse the state for audit costs. According to the article, Wilson denies taking any money.
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Read more: State Auditors: Gary Schools Treasurer Owes Us Money

The Illinois Senate today voted 35 to 21 in favor for allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The proposed legislation, touted as the strictest in the nation among the 18 states and the District of Columbia which allow medical marijuana, creates a four-year pilot program that allows physicians to prescribe the drug to existing patients with at least one of the over 30 medical conditions listed including cancer, HIV, and multiple sclerosis. Patients and caregivers would be required to undergo background checks and sets a two-point-five ounce limit per patient per purchase. The measure heads to the Governor.
A Pew Research Center poll last month reported that 77-percent of Americans believe marijuana has a legitimate medical use.
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Read more: IL Medical Marijuana Bill Passes Senate, Heads to Gov

Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was the keynote speaker at the Porter County Sheriffs Department's annual Inspection and Memorial Service this morning for National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Week. Ridge called the four officers being remembered, Edward Blakely, Timothy Hecht (heck), Robert Hardesty, and Phillip Pratt, our rock stars, our celebrities, who relentlessly pursued service, and whose contributions truly mattered.
Ridge, who has since re-entered the private sector, served as the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 through 2001, and was the first Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, serving from 2003-to-2005 .  To hear more from today's memorial service, click News Audio On Demand.
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Read more: Tom Ridge Speaks at Porter Co Sheriff's Memorial Service

(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
A 23 year old Valparaiso woman pleaded guilty today to one count of felony child molestation and one count of child exploitation. The Times reports Tara Tryon could spend up to ten years in prison on the molestation charge and eight years for the exploitation charge, which would be served concurrently if the plea agreement is excepted by the judge. According to the article, Tyron, as part of the plea agreement, admitted to molesting a two year old she babysat for, beginning in April of 2010, and sending photos of the acts to her boyfriend, 27 year old Ryan Schroeder, who was in the Navy. In February, Schroeder received 54 years in prison after being found guilty on numerous felony charges, which included aiding child molesting and possession of child pornography.
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Read more: Valpo Woman Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation, Molestation

INDIANAPOLIS -  Responding to surging nationwide sales, officials with the Multi-State Lottery Association increased the jackpot estimate for Saturday night's Powerball drawing for the second-straight day to a game-record $600 million.
The cash value of Saturday's jackpot is now $376.9 million.
Hoosiers can get in on the historic, record jackpot action at nearly 4,000 retailers across Indiana simply by asking the clerk for a Powerball quick pick. The sales cut-off time is 9:58 p.m. (Eastern) Saturday. A Powerball ticket costs just $2.
The Hoosier Lottery reminds all players to play responsibly.
Lottery players in the United States have had a chance to win more money than this only one other time -- in March 2012 when  the Mega Millions jackpot climbed to $656 million before being hit in Maryland, Illinois and Kansas.
Indiana leads the nation in Powerball jackpot wins with 38, dating back to the introduction of the game to Hoosiers in 1992. 
Indiana retailers have also been on a roll since the start of the current jackpot run on March 31, having sold four $1 million prize-winning Powerball tickets since that time. 
The mission of the Hoosier Lottery is to maximize net income for the state in a socially-responsible manner. In fiscal year 2012, the Hoosier Lottery generated $211 million in surplus revenue which was used to significantly reduce the motor vehicle excise tax for all Hoosier drivers and also supported the pension funds for retired Indiana teachers, police and firefighters. Player prizes for the fiscal year totaled $533 million and $60 million was earned by Indiana retailers on the sale of Hoosier Lottery products.
Since its inception in 1989, the Hoosier Lottery has produced more than $4.2 billion for the citizens of Indiana, $1 billion in commissions and bonuses for participating Indiana retailers, and has paid out more than $8.9 billion in player prizes.
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Read more: Powerball Jackpot Now at Record High $600 Million

Westbound South Shore Train 116 is running 15-20 minutes late due to a medical emergency.
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Read more: WB S Shore Train 116 Running 15-20 Minutes Late

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Today Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller applauded the efforts of state legislators who recently passed bills addressing overprescribing of prescription drugs, enhancing protections for consumers and providing funding for school resource officers.
Zoeller thanked State Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, State Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, and State Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, for supporting public safety and consumer protection during the Legislature’s 2013 session.
“Lawmakers of both parties and both houses worked collaboratively to tackle complex issues facing Hoosiers: providing for the safety of our children, protecting consumers and confronting the abuse of prescription drugs. Before session my office made recommendations about new laws needed to protect the public; and we are grateful that legislators worked so diligently to consider, refine and pass these bills that will serve the needs of constituents,” Zoeller said.
SEA 1: School Resource Officers
Zoeller thanked legislators for their passing Senate Enrolled Act 1, which allows schools to voluntarily apply for state matching grants of up to $50,000 to create or expand School Resource Officer positions. School Resource Officers or SROs are career police officers from local public safety agencies who have received special training in interaction with students, and who are assigned to schools to provide safety. 
Originally proposed by Zoeller and Sen. Pete Miller, R-Avon, in January, SEA 1 was based on a needs assessment study the AG’s Office conducted last fall – before the Newtown tragedy. The study found that school administrators and law enforcement officials would be interested in expanding School Resource Officer programs if funding were available. Under SEA 1, signed into law May 7 by Gov. Pence, a state board will be set up to review grant applications from schools and distribute funds. Application criteria are expected to be announced this summer. Sen. Charbonneau was the Senate second author of SEA 1, Sen. Randoph was a co-author and Rep. Lawson was House co-sponsor of SEA 1. Sen. Charbonneau and Rep. Lawson also served on the conference committee that advanced the final version of the bill.
“The School Resource Officer grant program will further develop the existing working relationships schools already have with their local law enforcement agencies. The daily presence of highly-trained, career police officers and sheriff’s deputies in schools can serve to increase respect for the law by students and also deter the problems in schools of bullying and drug abuse that occur in schools every day. We are appreciative that legislators took the original Senate approach to the bill that gives schools the flexibility to decide whether to apply for SRO grants or not, in keeping with local control, and I am pleased that the Governor signed it,” Zoeller said.
SEA 589: Licensing Enforcement and Consumer Protection
The Attorney General's Office enforces licensing laws against healthcare professionals such as physicians and nurses and other non-health related licensed professionals such as contractors, plumbers and architects. If the licensing rules are violated, then the Attorney General's Office can file a disciplinary action against the individual before one of the licensing boards, which conducts a hearing as to the licensee's status and ability to practice. If someone is practicing a profession without a license, a licensing board can issue a cease and desist order. Senate Enrolled Act 589 enhances that authority by allowing licensing boards to order unlicensed individuals to pay restitution to consumers who are victims of their actions. SEA 589 makes changes to funeral licensing, and prohibits individuals who sell pre-paid funeral plans from falsely claiming that the funeral service and merchandise is covered by Medicaid if it is not. Rep. Brown was House co-sponsor of SEA 589 and the Governor signed it into law.
“Senate Enrolled Act 589, which I co-sponsored, makes changes on various occupational licensing issues,” Rep. Brown said.  “The new law will protect professionals in those occupations as well as consumers who use their services. Consumer protection is essential to establishing consumer confidence, which in turn spurs greater economic growth.”
SEA 246: Prescription Drugs and ‘Pill Mills’
The Indiana Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force, which Zoeller chairs, examined the problem of pain-management clinics that dispense addictive controlled substances with little oversight.
“The epidemic of prescription drug abuse is fueled by the irresponsible overprescribing of addictive painkillers to patients which leads to drug dependency, easy access for abuse and accidental overdoses, all with terrible consequences. The Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force determined that the state’s efforts to curb these harmful practices by ‘pill mills’ would be enhanced with new state laws, and I am grateful to the legislators who have invested long hours into crafting effective new statutes to help address the epidemic in Indiana,” Zoeller said.
Senate Enrolled Act 246 makes important changes regarding clinics that prescribe, dispense or administer controlled substances. If a clinic owner does not otherwise hold an Indiana Controlled Substance Registration (CSR), then the owner must obtain a CSR for each facility they own in Indiana.  As part of registration, clinic owners have a responsibility for overseeing the operations in the clinic and ensuring that practitioners prescribe in a way that complies with law. Under SEA 246, through new rulemaking procedures of the Medical Licensing Board, the AG’s Office can move more quickly in taking enforcement action against practitioners who overprescribe and in obtaining records for an investigation. Sen. Charbonneau was Senate second author of SEA 246 and Sen. Randolph was a co-author.
 
SEA 277: Methamphetamine Vehicles Sales Disclosure
Criminals who produce the dangerous illegal stimulant methamphetamine often attempt to do so in hidden confined spaces, such as in vehicles, sometimes called "rolling meth labs.” Indiana’s Lemon Law protects automobile purchasers by requiring the dealer or seller who knows or reasonably should know that a vehicle is defective to disclose this fact to the purchaser. Because materials contaminated with meth residue can carry health risks to people exposed to them, Senate Enrolled Act 277 updates the private enforcement rights of the Lemon Law to require the vehicle seller to disclose that a vehicle previously had been used in manufacturing methamphetamine. If a vehicle seller fails to disclose a vehicle’s history in meth manufacture, then SEA 277 creates civil penalties, including paying the cost of decontaminating the vehicle or a $10,000 penalty. Rep. Lawson was a House co-sponsor of SEA 277.
 
HEA 1084: Homeowner Protection Enhancements
The Attorney General’s Homeowner Protection Unit (HPU) within the Consumer Protection Division has filed numerous lawsuits against illegal foreclosure rescue consultants and other predators who defraud homeowners facing foreclosure. House Enrolled Act 1084 amends the foreclosure consultant law to prohibit consultants from misrepresenting themselves as being endorsed, sponsored or affiliated with any government agency or program. HEA 1084 also amends the law governing homeowner associations to create greater transparency and make a homeowner association’s financial records available to its members and to the AG’s Office.
Sen. Randolph was a Senate co-sponsor of HEA 1084.
“I’m pleased that we could pass this law to protect Hoosier homeowners from fraudulent loan practices,” Sen. Randolph said. “And I’m especially grateful for the Attorney General’s involvement in this important measure to ensure residents are given enough time to seek legal restitution.”
 
SEA 222: Unclaimed Property
By law the Indiana Attorney General’s Office administers the state’s Unclaimed Property program to ensure that abandoned bank accounts, stock dividends, insurance proceeds and other dormant assets are reunited with their rightful owners. In 2012 the Attorney General’s Unclaimed Property Division returned nearly $44.9 million worth of unclaimed property to Hoosiers, and in 2011 paid more than 85,000 in claims Hoosiers submitted. Senate Enrolled Act 222 will allow the AG’s Office to return money to consumers more efficiently and effectively. First, it requires that if property in safe deposit boxes has been abandoned for three years, then a bank must turn over the property to the state so that the AG’s Office can attempt to return it to the owners – reducing the time frame from five years to three. Second, SEA 222 requires institutions holding unclaimed property, such as banks, to electronically notify the state of the property they hold, rather than by filing time-consuming paper notification, so that the AG’s Office can expedite its efforts to return property. Rep. Lawson was a co-sponsor of SEA 222.
“Consumers who search for their unclaimed property online on our web site, www.IndianaUnclaimed.gov, often are pleasantly surprised at the money they find. It’s their money and we want to return it to them and SEA 222 that legislators passed will aid in that process,” Zoeller said.
Zoeller expressed his appreciation to legislators of both parties in the Indiana House and state Senate who passed by wide margins the bills on his 2013 legislative agenda.
 
NOTE: More information on the Attorney General’s 2013 legislative agenda is available at this link:  http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2472.htm
More information about the Attorney General’s Unclaimed Property Division is at this link: www.indianaunclaimed.gov...

Read more: Addressing School Safety, Pill Mills, Consumer Protection