GOODMAN KATZ & SCHEELE

An Association of Attorneys - Not a Partnership

9013 INDIANAPOLIS BOULEVARD

HIGHLAND, INDIANA 46322-2502

SAMUEL J. GOODMAN (retired)
J. MICHAEL KATZ
STEPHEN E. SCHEELE
AARON A. KOONCE

TELEPHONE (219) 838-9200

FAXPHONE (219) 972-7110

November 1, 2016

RICHARD W. MAROC
OF COUNSEL

PLEASE REFER TO
FILE NO.:

16-250-001

*****Press Release*****
For Immediate Distribution
To:
Re:

Members of the Media

David Decker

This will confirm my offices representation of David Decker with respect to a misdemeanor
charge of Leaving the Scene of an Accident, filed against him for a minor car bumper scrape
that allegedly occurred in a county-owned parking lot on Wednesday, October 26, 2016.
The low-level nature of the scraped bumper raises a question of whether any report was required.
That issue aside, Mr. Decker did not leave the scene; he remained on the county premises for
hours after the alleged event. Mr. Decker has been and remains fully cooperative with
investigating law enforcement officials. He has reported the matter to his private auto insurance
company, where it is being appropriately reviewed and handled.
These types of events are civil in nature. In the rare instances that they do make it to court, they
are in the small claims court; they do not warrant criminal prosecution. Unfortunately, the
timing and nature of this misdemeanor charge smack of political motivation or retribution.
Particularly troubling is that Mr. Deckers political foes were making fodder of this prosecution
before the formal filing of charges was even made public. Also troubling is that the LaPorte
County Prosecutors Office, perhaps unwittingly, permitted itself to become a pawn of political
gamesmanship.
To that end, the circumstances of this misdemeanor filing are unfortunate. They wrongly impugn
the integrity of a hardworking and decent public servant, retired steelworker and gentleman.
They unnecessarily distract from the real issues in the days leading up to next weeks election.
The voters of LaPorte County know better.
Mr. Decker will be vigorously defended against a misdemeanor charge that should not have been
filed. Further questions or concerns about this event may be directed to the undersigned.

GOODMAN KATZ & SCHEELE

By:

/s/ Stephen E. Scheele

STEPHEN E. SCHEELE

SES/pkd