Interim mayor for Lake Station already decided before caucus

LAKE STATION, Ind. (AP) - The outcome of a Democratic Party caucus to select an interim replacement for a northwestern Indiana mayor convicted of fraud already is determined after just one person filed for the post.

Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, who heads the county party, told the (Merrillville) Post Tribune (http://trib.in/1h0lWY9 ) that former Lake Station Mayor Dewey Lemley was the only person to file for the position before Friday's deadline. Democratic precinct committee members will caucus Monday to select an interim mayor to serve until a newly elected mayor takes office in January.

A federal jury Sept. 11 convicted former Mayor Keith Soderquist and his wife, Deborah Soderquist, of conspiracy, wire fraud and filing false income tax returns for improperly using food pantry and campaign funds for personal use

Lemley served as mayor from 1992 until 1996, when he lost his bid for re-election in the Democratic primary.

Chris Anderson, who is the Democratic nominee for mayor in the November general election, decided not to seek the interim post so he can concentrate on his law practice and campaigning in the general election against Republican Edward "Ed" Peralta.

Buncich said having only one candidate for interim mayor makes the caucus process easier.

"I'm sure the interim mayor will work with the new mayor," he said.

Under state law, Soderquist was automatically removed from office once he was convicted. He lost the May primary election to Anderson.

The Soderquists last week filed a motion seeking a retrial because they say a federal judge hearing their case fell asleep at times during the trial.

Keith Soderquist is the latest in a long line of Lake County politicians to be convicted in public corruption cases. Others include former Lake County Surveyor George Van Til, former Gary City Councilwoman Marilyn Krusas and former East Chicago Mayor George Pabey.

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Information from: Post-Tribune, http://posttrib.chicagotribune.com/