Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter on Friday said Lake County Councilman Will Smith should step down immediately.
"I think sometimes public officials should look at the honorable thing to do, and what clearly would be the honorable thing (would be) for him to step out of the picture at this point," Steve Carter said. "I hope he does that. And if he doesn't, I'm sure there will be more efforts in the Legislature to make sure that convicted criminals don't continue to draw public sector salaries while they're awaiting sentencing."
Carter's comments follow Smith's conviction last month in Hammond federal court on a charge of filing a false tax return. Smith was acquitted of fraud charges in the same case in which he and two other defendants were accused of illegally profiting from the sale of a building to the now defunct Gary Urban Enterprise Association.
This seems like a no brainer to me. Is Will Smith serving his constituents or himself?
Though a federal jury convicted him of the crime, Smith also said he believes he is not technically convicted until sentencing.In case anyone was wondering, that would be himself.
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I agree. I contacted the Indiana AG's office on Thursday asking why Carter did not take action in removing him immediately.
Elected officials make a "social contract" when they take their oath of office and assume their duties to elected office. Part of that oath is to uphold the laws of the State of Indiana and its Constitution. Violation of that oath voids the social contract that the elected officials have with the citizens. It should be a no-brainer. Smith should be thrown out of office, without pay, without retirement benefits, without future health care...
I told the AG's administrative assistant that people in NW Indiana should not have to be represented by felons.
Not to have the Attorney General take immediate action to safeguard the people of Indiana and its tax funds borders on dereliction of duty as legal representative for the State of Indiana.
It is about time to take preemptive action to clean up politics in NW Indiana.
Well said. This isn't over and it looks like the AG will be digging a bit deeper into this.
Democrat or Republican, we the citizens shouldn't allow this, especially in Lake County.
Just wondering, how do you guys balance your "progressiveness" with the utter corroption and incompetance shown by the Democrat party from top to bottom in Lake County.
Smith is emblematic of every single Democrat in Lake County. They're all in it to line their own pockets. They are not "progressive" in any sense of the word.
I read that the Lake County Council is going to vote on the income tax on the 26th. Smith is the deciding vote for the tax. This, when the law clearly states that he is no longer a councilman upon his conviction by a jury of his peers.
I would say that any vote with him is a tainted vote, and one that would be grounds for a lawsuit that would ultimately prevent any income tax from being implemented.
The competant thing to do would be to get rid of Smith, caucus for his replacement, and vote for the income tax without anyone who is tainted.
I'm glad both the Progressives and Conservatives agree it is time for Will Smith, Jr. to step down.
I could see the councilman staying in office until the completion of trial -- everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
Smith should step down now that he has been convicted for the good of the office and the citizens of Lake County, Indiana.
I've got some commentary of the Smith affair on my blog.
I think that the law is quite clear as to Mr. Smith's impeachment. He is no longer a councilman.
I know it. You know it. The Council attorney knows it.
My link is www.bluecountyredstate.blogspot.com
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