Recently received two-year-old documents show that the ex-Calumet Township trustee’s son wasn’t listed as the resident of a Gary apartment that she used township funds to pay for.
Former Chief of Staff Sherita Smith on Jan. 5, 2023, responded to a Freedom of Information Act request from Gary Councilman Darren Washington, D-At Large, asking for client names of two apartments, one owned by Ruthellyn Hatcher and another owned by Karen Freeman-Wilson.
Ex-Calumet Township Trustee Kim Robinson’s son Christopher Robinson lived in the apartment owned by Hatcher, but Keon Robinson was listed as the resident. Keon Robinson died on Feb. 6, 2022, according to his obituary, and his connection to Kim Robinson is unknown.
On Dec. 23, Kim Robinson pled guilty in Hammond’s U.S. District Court to one count of wire fraud, which can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Federal prosecutors alleged she used $11,200 in township funds to pay the Gary rent.
As part of her deal, she resigned on Dec. 20. Robinson also stepped down as chairperson for the Democratic Precincts of Gary the same day.
If a judge accepts the plea deal, Robinson will serve one year of probation and have to repay $11,200, plus an $8,700 fine, according to Post-Tribune archives.
She paid $800 to Hatcher each month in rent, according to purchase orders sent from Washington. In total, Robinson allegedly used township funds to pay rent for about 14 months.
The customer’s name isn’t included on the purchase order receipts, but Smith later told Washington in a response to the FOIA request that Keon Robinson was the resident.
Public Access Counselor Luke Britt told Washington in a letter that residents’ names aren’t confidential, contrary to attorney Rinzer Williams’ opinion that they are.
The identity of township applicants is not confidential because the name isn’t obtained through a consent form.
“The information that the trustee receives through the use of a consent form would include only information that the trustee obtains from someone other than the applicant, hence the need for consent,” Britt said in his letter.
Washington has concerns about Smith’s involvement with Robinson, especially because she’s expressed interest in the position. Smith didn’t respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Darren Washington speaks during a caucus to fill the at-large Gary Common Council seat vacated when Mike Brown moved to the position of Lake County Clerk in Gary, Indiana, on Saturday, August 20, 2022. Washington won and is now putting himself in the running for Calumet Township Trustee after Kim Robinson’s resignation amidst a federal guilty plea. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune)
“(Sherita) Smith knew that Keon Robinson was not the tenant renting from Ruthellyn Hatcher when she emailed Darren Washington the above memo,” Washington’s request said. “(Sherita) Smith is in the race so she can continue the township corruption.”
Washington has also said he intends to run for trustee. If elected, he plans to oversee a forensic audit “to ensure questionable financial expenditures and practices come to an end,” hire a managerial workforce and not require employees to give money toward political activities.
To file, a candidate would have to submit a declaration of candidacy and a statement of economic interest by Jan. 13. A caucus will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Calumet Township Multipurpose Center, 1900 W. 41st Ave. in Gary.
In a statement announcing his candidacy, Washington expressed his disappointment for Robinson using township funds when her salary was more than $100,000 each year.
“It is with a deep sense of responsibility, not satisfaction, that I revisit an inquiry I made two years ago concerning the alleged corrupt and unethical practices found to be true,” Washington said in his statement. “The disappointment we feel at this moment is palpable. When an elected official, entrusted with the sacred duty of serving with integrity, falls short, the consequences are felt throughout our community.”
Smith told the Post-Tribune that if elected, she plans to continue the office’s food pantry program, school uniform program and energy assistance program. She’s worked with the trustee’s office for 10 years, eight of which she spent as chief of staff.
In addition to Smith and Washington, Gary Council President Tai Adkins, D-4th, and Gary Carter have both expressed their interest in the position, Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Wieser told the Post-Tribune.
In a Dec. 22 statement to the Post-Tribune, Robinson expressed her gratitude for constituents and “the trust and support” extended to her while in office.
“As I step away from this role, I remain hopeful for our township’s future,” Robinson said in the statement. “I am leaving the Township’s operating fund in the black with case reserves of over $2 million in a rainy-day fund. Additionally, I have every confidence in the leadership that will follow me, and I wholeheartedly support the process of selecting a new trustee who will continue our mission of progress and community service.”
Robinson is the third consecutive Calumet Township trustee to face federal charges.
She was elected in 2014, defeating incumbent Trustee Mary Elgin in the primary amid the shadow of an FBI and IRS probe of the office. Robinson had served as a former Gary City Probation officer, councilwoman for the city’s 5th District from 2008 to 2014, and in the Lake County treasurer’s office.
In December 2014, Elgin, her son, Steven Hunter, and former Calumet Township employees Ethel Shelton and Alex Wheeler were indicted. The four were accused of conspiracy to defraud; wire fire; conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud; honest service wire fraud; and conspiracy to commit extortion.
They were accused of using township employees and offices to run political campaigns and raise money for Elgin’s fundraisers.
Elgin was sentenced in 2018 to one year and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to the trustee’s office and $6,311 to the IRS.
Dozier Allen, trustee for 32 years, in 2007 was indicted on charges that he and three employees used $120,000 of grant money meant for the township for themselves. A jury found him guilty in April 2009, and Allen was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Post-Tribune archives contributed.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
