Indiana

For What It?s Worth

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Today has been an odd day to say the least.  I’ve been tracking down the story regarding City-County Councilman Lincoln Plowman and his administrative leave (with pay) from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Here’s what I know so far and you can take the information for what it’s worth.

Apparently the Justice Department’s Public Integrity unit has been stepping up its enforcement lately of local and state officials across the country who might be up to wrongdoing.

One of the targets of that investigation is Plowman.  While I’ve left messages for his attorney and the FBI, what I’ve discovered from conversations with individuals involved in the investigation is that the FBI suspects Plowman may have taken money in order to influence zoning matters for a developer.

However, the individuals I’ve spoke with who have been interviewed by the FBI say they never had any knowledge of such alleged activity.

In addition, the FBI has also asked those individuals if they had any knowledge of corruption by any other elected officials, to which they have responded “no”.

I have been checking other local media and from I’ve been able to gather from my sources, Plowman never received a visit from the FBI nor did they raid his home.

This is not to say that Plowman is in the free and clear by any means, however the impression I have from following this all day is that the FBI may be on a fishing expedition looking for any information that they can use against embattled financier Tim Durham.

Now some of you may want to call me out for this due to my relationship with Plowman, that’s fine.  I’m a big boy and I can deal with it.   However,  any of you who truly know me know I have no tolerance for elected officials who breech the public trust and break the law.   And if you have evidence that would lead to the guilt of any elected official in Marion County, don’t post here, take it to the authorities.

Right now, from what I’ve gathered, the local FBI is looking for whatever information it can find to help make a case against Durham and the agency is going down whatever path it thinks will lead it to him.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on February 04, 2010 (boomark / email).