FBI Aims Low Again In Public Corruption Investigations: Targeting Elwood Mayor

The only serious investigations of public corruption by the FBI in this state seem to involve cases of low-hanging fruit involving low-level players. Case and point: The Anderson Herald-Bulletin is reporting that the FBI and Indiana State Police are probing the campaign expenditures of Mayor Ron Arnold of Elwood, a town of about 8,500 people in Madison County. According to the report, the focus of the investigation is on money Mayor Arnold spent on out-of-state travel and wireless telephone and cable TV bills.

In particular, Arnold spent campaign money for out-of-state travel and personal bills, which could be seen as a violation of state election laws. A Herald Bulletin review of Arnold’s campaign finance records found that he spent $7,264 for Verizon wireless service and $3,939 for Comcast cable service.  

The investigation is being conducted by the ISP Organized Crime and Corruption Unit.
Sam Hanna, the former Elwood police chief and the treasurer of Arnold’s campaign committee, confirmed that he has talked several times with state police detectives. 

“I have been questioned by the state police and FBI about the campaign finance reports,” Hanna said . . .  

Included were expenditures of $472 for one-night stays in Los Angeles; Nashville, Tenn., and Louisville in 2012 and 2013. 

Hanna said he believed Arnold took trips to those locations to attend a son’s sports tournaments. 

An additional $453 was spent with Progressive Insurance for car insurance and $832 on a Master Card account. The campaign also spent $1,257 for gasoline purchases.

Arnold expenditures Campaign finance reports for 2012 and 2013 filed with the Madison County Clerk's office list $34,368 in expenditures by Elwood Mayor Ron Arnold. Here are some of Arnold's notable expenditures: -- Verizon Wireless, 2012-2013: $7,264 -- Comcast, 2012-2013: $3,939 -- Payments to Arnold, 2012-2013: $1,920 -- Master Card, 2012: $832 -- Casey's General Store, 2012-2013: $776 -- Progressive Insurance, 2012-2013: $637 -- Swifty, 2012-2013: $283 -- Days Inn, Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 17, 2012: $162 -- Ramada Plaza hotel, Louisville, May 28, 2013: $160.90 -- Holiday Inn, Los Angeles, July 24, 2012: $149

Have they ever examined the campaign finance reports of Greg Ballard, Carl Brizzi or James Brainard? Geez.