Former prosecutor calls settlement not his decision

BY STAN MADDUX

Former La Porte County Prosecutor John Lake is denying any wrongdoing even though a legal settlement has been reached with two former employees.

The legal action in U.S. District Court in South Bend was taken by Roseanne Miller and Natalie Miller, who alleged they were fired for political reasons when Lake took over as prosecutor in 2019.

Lake said the Indiana Attorney General’s Office completely controlled the handling of the case and decided to settle “at the last minute without my involvement.”

Lake said he wanted to go to trial

“I was kept in the dark pretty much over the course of the litigation and was not involved nor consulted on the lawsuit except as a witness,” he said.

In Indiana, a county prosecutor is employed by the state.

As a result, the state will pay the damages since Lake is not being held personally responsible.

According to court documents, the case was scheduled for trial next week, but the settlement was reached two days ago in talking involving a judge presiding over the negotiations.

Formal settlement documents were ordered to be filed with the court on September 1.

The amount of the settlement was not disclosed.

Lake also criticized the handling of the case on his behalf, calling it a “complete embarrassment.”

“I had 12 different deputy attorney generals that handled the case over the past three years, most with no experience,” he said.

He also said the Indiana Attorney General’s Office failed to contact or talk to the most important witnesses until less than 30 days from trial.

“I denied any wrongdoing and still do, but never got my day in court to prove it,” he said.