Ex-Sheriff Gets 15 Years For Bribery Scheme

HAMMOND, IN - Former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich was sentenced to 15 years, 8 months — a total of 188 months — in prison on corruption charges Tuesday afternoon at the courthouse in Hammond. He was taken into custody immediately after the sentence was read in court, WBEZ and others report.

Buncich was accused, and later convicted, of bribery in connection with a scheme that involved him getting paid from Northwest Indiana towing companies in exchange for steering jobs their way.

The Times of Northwest Indiana reports that Buncich appeared surprised when a federal judge ordered he begin serving his sentence immediately on Tuesday.

Prosecutors have said that Buncich conspired with two towing companies, one of which was a government informant. They said the bribery took place under the cover of campaign fundraising. Buncich was elected to the Lake County top cop post multiple times. He was forced to relinquish his position when he was found guilty.

Buncich was arrested on public corruption charges in 2016 on the same day James Snyder, the mayor of Portage, was also charged with similar offenses. The scheme with the towing companies is alleged to have taken place over a two year period beginning in 2014.

READ MORE: Lake County Sheriff Found Guilty Of Corruption Charges

Former Sheriff of Lake County, Indiana John Buncich sentenced to 15 years 8 months in prison on corruption convictions. He was taken into custody immediately at the federal courthouse in Hammond, Indiana. pic.twitter.com/7BK16ctdb9
— Michael Puente (@MikePuenteNews) January 16, 2018

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