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Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Ind. Courts - Judge Villalpando accused of campaign law violation

Alternative title: "No-holds-barred fight for Lake County Superior Court's elected Hammond judgeship," as this earlier ILB entry on this race was titled.

Today the Gary Post-Tribune reports:

CROWN POINT — Eduardo Fontanez upped the ante in his bid to replace Jesse Villalpando as Lake Superior Court judge Tuesday by alleging the incumbent has broken campaign law.

Fontanez filed a complaint with the Lake County Election Board, arguing Villalpando did not announce the creation of his campaign organization, “Judge Villalpando Committee,” in a timely fashion with the county Elections and Registration Office.

Since Villalpando has been holding fund-raisers and collecting money for his campaign without the organization being properly certified, Fontanez called on the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office to charge him with a misdemeanor.

Villalpando countered that he filed his organization with the state Commission on Judicial Qualifications in May 2005. * * *

The race for Lake Superior Court Division 4 has already proven one of the most contentious in Lake County this year. Villalpando contends Fontanez is little more than a shill put forward by political powerbroker Robert Cantrell, who has publicly targeted Villalpando for defeat.

Fontanez insisted Tuesday he is a serious candidate.

“Since (Villalpando) wants to make these baseless claims, I am going to pursue this claim, which has basis in the law,” Fontanez said.

Villalpando did file a statement of organization for his campaign organization with the county Elections and Registration Office shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday, but Fontanez said the judge acted too late.

“He has been holding fund-raisers, collecting money through a nonexistent campaign organization,” Fontanez said. “He should have known better.”

The Munster (NW Indiana) Times has this story today, headlined "Lake Superior judge candidates trade accusations: Challenger says incumbent failed to follow campaign contribution laws."

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 18, 2006 09:42 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts