Four people have expressed interest in running for Calumet Township Trustee so far to replace former Trustee Kim Robinson, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court last week.
Gary Council President Tai Adkins, D-4th; Gary councilman Darren Washington, D-at large; Calumet Township Office Human Resources Manager Sherita Smith; and Gary Carter have all reached out to Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Wieser to express their interest in running for the position, he said.
Washington released a statement Tuesday announcing his candidacy for Calumet Township Trustee. If elected, Washington said he would 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 any political activities.
“We are witnessing a revolving door of empty promises while the very foundation of our government’s integrity is being eroded,” Washington said in the statement. “My duty is clear: to protect the greatest investment our citizens have — their tax dollars.”
Two years ago, Washington said he and the Calumet Township Board questioned Robinson on the spending she outlined in the township’s annual financial report, including funds for an apartment.
“The disappointment we all 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,” Washington said.
Smith said she has been with the trustee’s office for 10 years, eight years of which she served as chief of staff. If elected, Smith said she would continue the office’s food pantry program — with plans to expand the food options — the school uniform program and energy assistance program.
“I would like to continue to do the great work that we’ve been doing, especially in these last 10 years. I believe I am the best candidate for the position,” Smith said.
Adkins didn’t respond to a request for comment. Carter couldn’t be reached for comment.
To file, a candidate would have to submit a declaration of candidacy and a statement of economic interest, standard state forms, Wieser said. As the deadline to apply, Jan. 13, approaches, Wieser said he anticipates more people will file applications for the position.
The notice for the caucus, which was posted Dec. 30, states it will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Calumet Township Multipurpose Center, 1900 W. 41st Avenue in Gary.
If an elected official were voted in as the next trustee, Wieser said another caucus would held to fill the vacancy. Wieser said he’d like the next Calumet Township trustee to be someone committed to public service with a financial background.
“First and foremost, you want someone who wants to serve the community.” Wieser said.
Calumet Township Chief Dayna Bennett was sworn in Dec. 23 — the day Robinson entered her guilty plea — to serve as trustee until the caucus, said administrative assistant Sandi Cogan.
Robinson pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Hammond to one count of wire fraud, which can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, when federal prosecutors alleged she used $11,200 in township funds to pay her Gary rent.
As part of the deal, she resigned on Dec. 20. If a judge accepts the plea deal, Robinson will serve one year of probation, have to repay $11,200, plus an $8,700 fine. She posted a $20,000 unsecured bond.
In a statement she provided to the Post-Tribune ahead of her court hearing, Robinson expressed her “deepest gratitude to each and every one” of her constituents for “the trust and support” they’d extended to her while she was in office. She didn’t give a reason for her resignation but said it was important to issue a statement as people “may begin to hear information related” to it.
“As I step away from this role, I remain hopeful for our township’s future. I am leaving the Township’s operating fund in the black with cash 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 said in the statement.
Robinson becomes the third consecutive Calumet Township Trustee to face federal charges.
Robinson was elected in 2014 after defeating incumbent Trustee Mary Elgin in the primary amid the shadow of an FBI and IRS probe of the office. She previously served as a former Gary City Probation officer, Gary Councilwoman for the city’s 5th District from 2008 to 2014, and the Lake County treasurer’s office.
In December 2014, Elgin along with her son, Steven Hunter, and former Calumet Township employees Ethel Shelton and Alex Wheeler were indicted, with prosecutors alleging the four used township employees and offices to run political campaigns and raise money for Elgin’s fundraisers.
Elgin was sentenced in 2018 to a year and a 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.
In 2007, Dozier Allen, who served as trustee for 32 years, was indicted — five years after he lost to Elgin — on charges that he and three employees steered $120,000 of grant money meant for the township to themselves. A jury found him guilty in April 2009, and he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
