Judge Terry Hursh of the Marion County Small Claims Court has just released this statement to the press:
It has been brought to my attention by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that the Small Claims Court for Marion County is under investigation at this time. The investigation pertains to possible improprieties involving monies related to the property title portion of the Court's responsibilities. A lack of paperwork, and adherence to written policies governing the use and accounting for funds by my staff is the cause of the investigation.[Update] This brief report has now been posted on the Indianapolis Star website.The Court continues to have important business to conduct on behalf of the citizens of Marion County. For that reason, I am taking the following specific steps to assist with this investigation:
1. This Court is cooperating fully with the FBI in their efforts, and will continue to do so. All records, files, and other materials in the Court have been made available to the FBI without reservation.First we must address the issues raised by the investigation, and then we must create a system that stops problems from happening again.2. Any staff members targeted by the FBI or other law enforcement agencies for investigation will be immediately suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation, or determination by the FBI that the individual is no longer a target.
3. I am asking the Marion County Prosecutor's office to participate in our internal review to help identify any areas of wrongdoing that are outside the FBI's jurisdiction.
4. I am requesting assistance from all agencies involved in the granting and administration of titles including but not limited to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the BMV Task Force set up by the Governor, to assist my office in establishing new procedures to make certain checks and balances preclude any single person or group from undermining the process for personal gain.
The FBI has been extremely professional in this process. I want to thank them for bringing this to my attention, and will continue to support their efforts. I look forward to working to restore confidence in this Court, and am angry like any taxpayer about criminal activity wherever it takes place, and want justice to be served. While this investigation continues, this Court will get back to the business of serving the people of Marion County.
[Update 3/16/04] More today here in the Indianapolis Star. A quote:
A small-claims judge said Monday that federal agents are investigating his Lawrence Township court for "improprieties" involving money that may be linked to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.Posted by Marcia Oddi at March 15, 2004 12:31 PMTerry Hursh, a Republican serving his second term as Lawrence Township's small-claims court judge, said it appears his signature stamp was improperly used to issue court orders that permit people to obtain motor-vehicle titles from the BMV.
The agency is the target of a continuing criminal investigation into charges that foreign nationals used bogus visas, passports and other immigration documents to obtain Indiana driver's licenses and state identification.