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.

Continue reading →

Judge Rules in Linda Belork Case

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

Jasper County Circuit Court Judge John Potter ruled yesterday in favor of the Starke County Commissioners in a suit involving former Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork.

The case involved Belork’s removal from office on August 13th after a state audit turned up financial discrepancies. Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, had argued that the Commissioners did not have the right to remove Belork from office. He argued that only the state’s Attorney General had the right to do so.

Continue reading →

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.”

Continue reading →

Linda Belork’s Hearing is Today in Jasper County

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

A hearing will be held in Jasper County today on Linda Belork’s request to have a court-imposed Temporary Restraining Order removed allowing her to return to her duties as the Starke County Treasurer. Belork has been out of the office since August 13th after being removed by the County Commissioners following the issuance of a State Audit showing thousands of dollars in discrepancies.

The money has been found, but Belork has been blocked by the order from returning to office. Objecting to her return are the Starke County Commissioners. Judge John Potter will be seeking pertinent information from Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, and Martin Lucas, attorney for the commissioners, during today’s hearing.

Continue reading →

Starke County Democrat Caucus Scheduled Tonight to Replace Treasurer

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

There will be a Democrat Caucus tonight to select a replacement for Linda Belork, but the replacement will not be called the Treasurer of Starke County. Linda Belork, with counsel, appeared before Judge Kim Hall yesterday seeking an injunction against a Democrat caucus being held to fill her position by the precinct committeemen.

Judge Hall ruled that because State Statute does not guide him in this motion he would fashion a ruling on the testimony. The judge interviewed Attorney Ethan Lowe as well as Democrat Chairman Ken Wallace. When completed, Judge Hall ruled that a caucus could proceed tonight, but that the person selected would be referred to as the Interim Treasurer. As the Interim Treasurer, the candidate would have the full authority of the Treasurer’s position to make decisions and sign documents.

Continue reading →

Democratic Caucus for Starke County Treasurer Will be Held

Posted on Author WKVI
Ethan Lowe

There will be a Democrat Caucus tomorrow night to select a replacement for Linda Belork, but the replacement will not be called the Treasurer of Starke County. Linda Belork, with counsel, appeared before Judge Kim Hall in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday morning seeking an injunction against a Democrat caucus being held to fill her position by the precinct committeemen.

Judge Hall ruled that because State Statute does not guide him in this motion he would fashion a ruling on the testimony. The judge interviewed Belork’s Attorney, Ethan Lowe, as well as Democrat Chairman Ken Wallace. When completed, Judge Hall ruled that a caucus could proceed tomorrow night, but that the person selected would be referred to as the Interim Treasurer. As the Interim Treasurer, the candidate would have the full authority of the Treasurer’s position to make decisions and sign documents.

Continue reading →

Linda Belork’s Attorney Files Challenge to Thursday Night’s Caucus

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

The attorney for Linda Belork has notified Starke County Democrat Chairman, Kenny Wallace, that he, on behalf of his client, is challenging the right of the party to hold a caucus Thursday night, December 1st to name a new Starke County Treasurer.

Belork was removed from office by county officials in August when a State Board of Accounts report noted funding discrepancies totaling thousands of dollars. Those discrepancies eventually were resolved, but Belork was never reinstated to the office.

Continue reading →

Linda Belork’s Lawsuit Moved to Jasper County

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

A change of venue has been granted by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall in the lawsuit filed by former Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork. The suit was brought about after Belork’s August 11th dismissal of her duties as treasurer of the county. Belork was relieved of her duties by the County Commissioners after a state audit reported financial discrepancies. According to a later commissioner’s report, some of the discrepancies have been cleared up by the Auditor’s office.

Ethan Lowe, Belork’s attorney, asked for a change of venue from Starke County. Representing the County in the matter is attorney, Martin Lucas.

Continue reading →

Treasurer Restraining Order Hearing Rescheduled

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

A hearing was to have been held today to discuss the temporary restraining order issued by the Starke Circuit Court that relieved Treasurer Linda Belork of her duties. Belork’s attorney Ethan Lowe, of Valparaiso, asked for a change of venue, so the hearing has been rescheduled for Aug. 30.

Lowe and County Attorney Martin Lucas will discuss an acceptable change of venue court for the hearing. Judge Kim Hall indicated he would hold a hearing to help both parties if an acceptable court could not be found.

Belork has been out of the office since Aug. 11, when the commissioners removed her after receiving an audit from the state showing a large number of funding discrepancies.

On another matter, County Attorney Lucas told WKVI Wednesday that a decision has been made by the commissioners to not hold a tax sale this year.