Starke County officials have settled the lawsuit filed by a former elected official. Linda Belork was exonerated of wrongdoing in 2012 after the Starke County Commissioners removed her from office in August of 2011.
That action was prompted by fund balance discrepancies discovered in a state audit of the Starke County Treasurer’s office. Further investigation found a clerical error was to blame for the missing money. Belork filed a counterclaim against the county, and both sides agreed to work with a court-appointed mediator in an attempt to resolve the issue. Court records indicate an agreement was reached last Thursday, Sept. 11. On Monday the Starke County Council approved a request from the commissioners to transfer $138,000 from the county’s rainy day fund to settle the lawsuit. County attorney Marty Lucas is hopeful this will resolve the issue.
