Jasper Circuit Court Hearing Continued

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork assists a customer over the phone

The court hearing scheduled for today in Jasper Circuit Court has been continued.

The Starke County Commissioners, the county’s legal counsel, plus Linda Belork and her legal counsel were ordered to appear today in Jasper Circuit Court at 3:00 p.m., but the hearing was continued. A rescheduled date has not been determined.

Judge John Potter has ordered the court hearing to hear the reasoning why the Starke County Commissioners closed the Starke County Treasurer’s Office thus nullifying his order reinstating Treasurer Linda Belork back into the office.

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Starke County Treasurer’s Office Open; Commissioners To Defend Actions in Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork assists a customer over the phone

The Starke County Commissioners are in a bit of hot water following their order to close the treasurer’s office in light of Judge John Potter’s order to reinstate Linda Belork as the county treasurer. The commissioners voted to close the office because Belork did not have a surety bond in place as required by state law, but a telephonic case management conference held earlier this week at the order of Judge Potter found that the commissioners had disobeyed his order.

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Case Against Former Starke County Treasurer Crawling Along

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

The case against former Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork is shambling along in Jasper Circuit Court. The Indiana Supreme Court extended Judge John Potter’s decision deadline to Oct. 22, allowing him 13 more days to decide on the case.

Judge Potter has yet to make his decision regarding the case between Belork and the Starke County Commissioners, who claim Belork misappropriated $900,000 during her time as treasurer. The attorney for the Starke County Commissioners and the attorney for Linda Belork and Ohio Casualty appeared before the judge on June 6 and presented evidence supporting their cases.

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Judge Still Undecided In Case Between Belork, Starke Commissioners

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

Jasper Circuit Court Judge John Potter has yet to make his decision regarding the case between former Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork and the Starke County Commissioners. The attorney for the Starke County Commissioners and the attorney for Linda Belork and Ohio Casualty appeared before the judge on June 6 and presented evidence supporting their cases.

The attorney for the commissioners, Martin Lucas, told the judge that the commissioners were faced with a serious problem: $900,000 was reportedly misappropriated in the treasurer’s office, according to the State Board of Accounts. He said the commissioners acted according to statute in removing her from office and filing suit against her bond.

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Judge Lifts Temporary Restraining Order Against Linda Belork

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

The restraining order against former Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork was removed Wednesday in Jasper Circuit Court after attorney Martin Lucas requested it. Lucas told Judge John Potter that the purpose of the temporary restraining order in the first place was only to prevent any destruction or alteration of public records in the immediate aftermath of the executive order to remove her from the Treasurer’s office.

Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, did not object and the 15 minute court appearance ended. Although a discrepancy of thousands of dollars was initially reported, all funds were eventually accounted for.

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Testimony to be Heard Today Concerning Restraining Order Against Linda Belork

Posted on Author WKVI

On August 11th of last year, Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork was served a restraining order removing her from conducting her duties as treasurer of the county. The restraining order was issued after the three county commissioners voted to remove her from office following the announcement to the public that there were irregularities in some 2009 accounts.

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Linda Belork’s Case Heard in Jasper Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

Jasper County Circuit Court Judge John Potter heard arguments yesterday in a hearing where is was requested that a Temporary Restraining Order be removed to allow Linda Belork to resume her duties as the Starke County Treasurer.

That request was being opposed by the Starke County Commissioners.

In the hearing yesterday, Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, argued that only the State’s Attorney General could remove an elected official from office. He said, “The county commissioners can only “piggy back” on actions brought by the Attorney General’s office. The Attorney General’s office has to initiate civil proceedings with the county prosecutor.”

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