FBI asking questions about Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi and influence peddling

[IndianaGreen]

FBI asking questions about Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi and influence peddling

An exclusive Fox 59 News investigation has revealed that FBI agents are asking whether Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi has ever used his office's influence to benefit political and personal associates in criminal investigations and public issues.

Russ McQuaid Fox59.com
11:56 PM EST, January 28, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS - The FBI inquiries come in the wake of a high profile raid by federal agents in November at the offices of financier Tim Durham on Monument Circle. Durham is a close friend and campaign supporter of Brizzi, donating nearly $200,000 to the prosecutor's re-election campaign in 2006.

An attorney for Brizzi, Tom Collignon, told Fox 59 News that it would be, "a leap of faith," to construe an FBI inquiry as an investigation.

Word of the FBI inquiry comes as Fox 59 News has uncovered a pattern of campaign donations to both Brizzi and his Chief Trial Deputy David Wyser at the time when the prosecutor's office was signing off on a motion to reduce the prison time of a woman originally sentenced to 110 years for the murder of her husband.

Paula Epperly Willoughby was convicted in the killing of her husband Darrell in 1991. After just 18 years in prison, Epperly Willoughby's sentenced was modified to time served.

"I was outraged," said former judge Gary Miller who presided over the trial. "I thought it was absolutely ridiculous for anybody to think that was an appropriate way to modify a sentence in this case."

Wyser said he agreed to the modification due to rehabilitation and family concerns.

"It was the right thing to do. It was based upon the merits. I would do it again."

Paula Epperly Willoughby's father is Harrison Epperly, a millionaire real estate magnet with property in downtown Indianapolis. From 2006 through 2008, Epperly donated $29,000 to the Brizzi campaign. $20,000 was donated the weekend before Brizzi's budget busting re-election in 2006. Those were the years his daughter's attorney was negotiating with Brizzi's office for a sentence modification.

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-fbi-questions-about-brizzi-012810,0,2144501.story

[GrantDem]

1. Hats off to FOX 59 for actually doing an investigation.

There needs to be more of this type of journalism. At this point it sounds like Brizzi is fucked.

[AngryOldDem]

2. That was excellent.

And note, Brizzi and the Hamilton County prosecutor candidate returned their contributions as soon as they knew the story would be aired.

I think Brizzi was fucked as soon as his name was linked with the investor who was busted in November (can't recall his name at the moment).

[Voltaire]

3. That little asshole is going to jail

I can dream, can't I?