(La Porte County, IN) - There was more clashing between political figures during the La Porte County Commissioners meeting last night.

 

Commissioner Joe Haney seemed to put the county attorney on trial. In response, County Attorney Shaw Friedman landed hard with some counterpunches.

 

Once again, Haney tried to illustrate how Friedman allegedly runs county government and uses his position to line his pockets.

 

It was also revealed that Haney has gone to the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission and La Porte County Prosecutor John Lake with his concerns to see if they merit criminal charges or suspension of Friedman's license to practice law.

 

During a heated exchange with Haney, Friedman said he's come out squeaky clean each time Haney has gone to the authorities and challenged Haney to post THOSE findings on his Facebook page.

 

Haney has often used his Facebook page to lodge his complaints against county officials and paint a picture of corruption in county government.

 

"Did you send a referral to the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission? It was dismissed, wasn't it?  Why don't you be honest with the public? None of your concerns about fraud or theft have been upheld by anyone," Friedman said.

 

He also challenged Haney not to be one-sided in his fake news social media posts.

 

"So, let's be honest. Post it. Post that dismissal letter on your site and post the prosecutor's response to your e-mail." 

 

Haney again expressed what he felt was a need for the county attorney to work under a contract. However, he said Friedman doesn't want a contract to keep influencing administrative decisions and bill the county for what Haney describes as questionable work.

 

However, Friedman said he would be happy to work under a contract if that's what a majority of the commissioners desire. He also pointed out not all county attorneys operate under a contract, and it's been a long tradition for the county attorney in La Porte County to work under the direction of the commissioners.

 

Friedman was also critical of Haney, LaPorte County Auditor Tim Stabosz, and La Porte County Councilman Earl Cunningham. He alleged the three men for the past ten months have gone through 15-years of his billing for legal work performed for county government to try and find some wrongdoing in their crusade to demonize him.

 

“They could find nothing inappropriate,” Friedman said.

 

Several months ago, Friedman filed a defamation of character lawsuit against Stabosz. The legal action has not been decided yet in the courts.