Indiana

Northwestern Indiana mayor to go to trial Monday on fraud charges

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) — A northwestern Indiana mayor is set to go to trial over allegations he and his wife took more than $20,000 from his campaign account in order to cover casino gambling losses.

Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist and his wife Deborah Soderquist face federal charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and filing false tax returns.

Prosecutors say in court filings that the couple made more than 40 ATM withdrawals from the mayor’s campaign fund within 24 hours of their visits to casinos from 2010 to 2012. Prosecutors contend the couple lost more than $160,000 at casinos from 2007 to 2013.

Defense attorney Scott King has said Keith Soderquist and his wife reimbursed themselves for campaign expenses.

The trial in Hammond is expected start Monday and last four to five days.

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