EDITOR’S NOTE: LaPorte County Prosecutor Bob Szilagyi and his opponent in the May 6 Democratic Primary, John Espar, recently exchanged accusations regarding the grand jury case involving Szilagyi. In early April 2014 a grand jury was selected to decide whether Szilagyi should face criminal charges for forging his former wife’s signature on a document that transferred their home solely to Szilagyi’s name. In 2012 the Indiana Supreme Court suspended Szilagyi’s license for 90 days because of his actions. Below are Szilagyi’s press release issued on the matter, and Espar’s responding press release. (In Szilagyi’s statement, “Mr. Sirinek” is attorney Alan Sirinek, who ran for prosecutor against Szilagyi in 2010 and who is representing Szilagyi’s former wife in the grand jury matter.)
Szilagyi’s statement
Szilagyi
“Due to the fact that this matter is before a grand jury to review, I can’t address the facts. It’s unfortunate that only the allegations of the petition for special prosecutor are discussed and debated. There are other court filings including various affidavits that highlight major discrepancies and contradictions.
“The entire action for the special prosecutor was undertaken for political insurance and vindictiveness. One needs only to look at the attorneys representing my former wife and that they are providing free legal representation. They are also involved in my opponent’s campaign hoping to become a part of the prosecutor’s office again.
“Eighteen months ago, Mr. Espar asked me not to run for re-election because he wanted to. If I did, Mr. Sirinek would create a new issue with my former wife, however, I could stay on as a deputy. Four weeks later, the petition for special prosecutor was filed.
“I accepted responsibility and sanctions for a bad judgment. All this considered and in any other case, the matter would have ended there. This is a new low for any political campaign since even the previous prosecutor administration declined the matter. Rather than develop a platform or address issues, the political minions of Michigan City would prefer to hide behind and encourage personal vindictiveness. One can only wonder how dangerous the prosecutor’s office would be with people who will do anything to win. Treat the Petition for Special Prosecutor for what it is, why it’s been filed, and for what purposes after all the facts are known.”
Espar’s response
Espar
“The Indiana Supreme Court – not John Espar – suspended Robert Szilagyi from the practice of law for ‘engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation’ and ‘engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.’ See In the Matter of Robert C. Szilagyi, Supreme Court Cause No. 46S00-1204-DI-217.
“The Indiana Supreme Court – not John Espar – appointed the Honorable Salvador Vasquez as special judge to consider whether a special prosecutor should be appointed to conduct a criminal investigation of Robert Szilagyi. See, In re the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor, Case No. 46C01-1210-MI-1620.
“Special Judge Vasquez – not John Espar – found by clear and convincing evidence that a special prosecutor should be appointed. Judge Vasquez ordered that the ‘Special Prosecutor shall continue in said duty until an investigation or determination is made whether there is probable cause to believe that Prosecutor Robert Szilagyi has committed a crime, or to the conclusion of any prosecution.’ See, In re the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor, Case No. 46C01-1210-MI-1620.
“I have read reports that Special Prosecutor James Fleming – not John Espar – convened a grand jury in connection with the criminal investigation of Prosecutor Szilagyi, based upon accusations that Mr. Szilagyi forged the signature of his former wife and the signature of a notary public upon a legal document.
“Despite Mr. Szilagyi’s suggestions to the contrary, I have had no involvement with any person, in any way, in connection with the initiation or the prosecution of the various actions which led to the suspension of Mr. Szilagyi, the appointment of Special Judge Vasquez, the appointment of Special Prosecutor Fleming or his decision to convene a grand jury to conduct a criminal investigation of Mr. Szilagyi.
“It is truly unfortunate that Mr. Szilagyi is attempting to minimize the extraordinary and unprecedented appointments of a special judge and special prosecutor to investigate the sitting prosecuting attorney of LaPorte County, as a conspiracy between the Supreme Court, Judge Vasquez, Special Prosecutor Fleming and candidate Espar, all devised to dash Mr. Szilagyi’s hopes for re-election.
“Mr. Szilagyi would better serve his office, the community and himself, by reflecting upon the disgrace that he has brought upon the prosecutor’s office, its staff and himself, than by trying to whitewash the situation in which he finds himself, as some kind of political stunt.
“I personally have never had political ambitions. I am a candidate for prosecuting attorney because for 25 years I have believed in, and have been committed to, a prosecutor’s work for victims of crime. I would have been content to spend the next 25 years serving victims in the capacity in which I served the past 25 years – as a deputy prosecutor. However, I believe a prosecutor’s work on behalf of victims can only be accomplished when the prosecuting attorney stands as a model of respect for the law and thereby reflects the high standards of our community. As prosecutors, we are in the accountability business. We hold those within our community accountable when their conduct fails to conform to the law. Mr. Szilagyi should be held to the same standard as he hold others.”