Comments on Advance Indiana™: City-County Councilor Paul Bateman Indicted For Money Laudering And Wire Fraud

This attack on Bateman is absolutely ridiculous an...

2012-01-10T10:41:26.095-05:00

This attack on Bateman is absolutely ridiculous and, worse, is a blatant abuse of the system. Bateman didn't take any money and has been an asset to the community. In fact, the indictment accuses him of "lending credibility" but not taking money. Who would knowingly help someone scam but not actually take money?!!! No one and that's why the charges are absurd. Hogsett is clearly trying to make a name for himself because he has political aspirations and he's using Bateman to do it. Shame on him and the grand jury for going along with it. (The amount of time -- 6+ months -- shows me that there is no smoking gun here.) Russell may be a crook but Bateman's was a good guy would was hoodwinked like everyone else.

You mentioned Plowman. At the time when the Counci...

2011-12-21T12:51:56.972-05:00

You mentioned Plowman. At the time when the Council voted on the smoking ban issue couple of years back, he voted no. The result of the final tally was 12 yes, 13 no. Had he recused himself, the vote would have been 12-12 (and who knows who else he influenced against the ban). Whether you are pro-ban or not, the issue shows corruption.
With respect to Bateman, the Star mentions also he served on "the special investigative Committee on Ethics". Excuse me while I cough. The article says Hogsett comments that there's a message for those who may think of abusing their influence associated with holding public office.
It is amazing that when public input is offered to the Council at some Council meetings that we often feel their minds are already made up and that our imput is merely an exercise in futility. I'm more convinced of that than ever. It is quite obvious the Council cannot police itself, especially when sitting on an Ethics committee that could block any attempt to investigate ANYTHING.

Where is the outrage? Where are the liberals who s...

2011-12-21T12:27:36.257-05:00

Where is the outrage? Where are the liberals who scream for resignation, prison time, huge fines, etc.?
Where are the opinion columns in the IndyRedStarRag, demanding a full investigation?
Where are the columns of letters to the editor, demanding immediate justice, firing the Councilor, and investigating the "high ranking IMPD superior?"
Oh....they're democrats.....sorry!

We should all be pleased that Joe Hogsett is doin...

2011-12-21T11:36:24.968-05:00

We should all be pleased that Joe Hogsett is doing such a great job attacking corruption. I hope he keeps it up.