Saturday, December 27, 2008

Ghosts in the Wind ("Suicide" Case File # 22) - Indiana: Man Says Nephew's Suicide could be Tied to Starke County Investigation

Selected Comments from Starke Co. locals on this story:

Wednesday, Dec 10 at 4:14 AM concerned citizen wrote -
It is odd that 2 people would commit suicide?? weird dont you think......or is anyone thinking ...

Saturday, Dec 6 at 10:57 AM Ken wrote - Typical Starke County corruption. What about a Starke County Sheriff's Deputy beating a 75 year old man to the point that he will have injuries for the rest of his life, but the Hamlet Police and the Starke County Sheriff's Dept. are afraid to arrest known criminals. The cowards might messup their nail polish.

Friday, Dec 5 at 11:59 PM WHERE..WHERE IS IT? wrote - ARE THERE ANY GOOD MEN OF INTEGRITY & HONOR READY TO STEP UP & LEAD? WHERE ARE THEY? THIS COUNTRY AND IT'S PEOPLE STOOD ON THE FOUNDATION OF TRUTH & HONESTY, WHERE HAS IT GONE?
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(From left) John Norris and Mark Milo

" ... 'He mentioned about them hanging him up by his belt,' Fisher said. ... "





By Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/35626664.html
Dec 5, 2008

STARKE CO. — A nine-month investigation by the state has landed two Starke County officials behind bars, and one man believes it may have caused his nephew to kill himself.

Police arrested Highway Department Superintendent John Norris and Commissioner Mark Milo Thursday. Norris is charged with official misconduct and theft, accused of selling county property for scrap and keeping part of the money. Milo is charged with official misconduct and conflict of interest, accused of making a profit off the sale of items to the county.

According to court documents, Milo allegedly sold a backhoe tractor to a third party. That dealer then sold it to the county. The state alleges the sale price was for much more than the backhoe was worth.

Norris is accused of selling county property to scrap companies and splitting the cash with former Highway Commissioner Pete Stanojevic. Stanojevic committed suicide earlier this year.

Council member Chuck Estok is shocked by Milo's arrest.

"I've known Mark all my life,” he told WSBT News. “I've done business with Mark Milo. I consider him a good friend."

But others are not surprised. Melvin Fisher says his nephew killed himself because of what he knew.

"I told him don't worry about it, somebody will find out sooner or later,” Fisher said.

His nephew, Jim Saine, worked at the County Highway Department. Fisher says Saine was worried because he knew too much.

"He didn't want to lose his job,” Fisher said. “I don't know if that was the only factor, but I know it was the biggest factor."

Two weeks ago Jim talked to his uncle about suspicious activity going on at work. "But he said the numbers on the backhoe that the county was supposed to get didn't match,” Fisher recalled. “Oh yes, definitely [he thought that was suspicious].”

Fisher says Jim had been interviewed by state investigators, and he claims that led to ongoing harassment by other highway department workers, including the superintendent, John Norris.

"He mentioned about them hanging him up by his belt,” Fisher said.

As the community is left wondering exactly what prompted the arrests of Milo and Norris, Fisher says one thing's for sure.

"I'm happy for him right now that something has come to a head instead of swept under the rug,” he said.

Norris and Milo are out on bond. They have both entered a not guilty plea.

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