Charges Filed in Bribery Case
First case submitted by Inspector General's Office
INDIANAPOLIS--Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi today announced that he has filed one charge of C felony bribery against the operator of a horse farm accused of offering money to get the inside track on a concessionaire contract.
The case against Ronald Adkins, whose horse farm is near Laurel, Ind., is the first to be submitted by the newly-created Office of the Inspector General.
"This is an excellent example of how we can work together with the Inspector General's Office to protect the community," said Brizzi. "This, in effect, expands the resources that we have to prosecute those who commit crimes."
According to the probable cause affidavit, Adkins offered a $1,000 bribe to Indiana Depoartment of Natural Resources (DNR) employee Teresa Marshall to ensure that he would receive a contract to operate horse barns at two state parks.
The DNR had issued an invitation for individuals to submit bids for the operation of the horse barns at Fort Harrison State Park and Versailles State Park for the upcoming season. Adkins called the DNR office in Indianapolis to check on the status of his bid. The call was routed to Marshall, a 19-year DNR employee whose job as a facilities inspector included the bidding process. Adkins offered the bribe to Marshall in exchange for a guarantee that he would receive the contract for one of the locations. Marshall immediately contacted her supervisor, who got in touch with the Inspector General.
After interviewing Marshall, the Inspector General's Office wired her phone, and instructed her to return Adkins' call, accepting his offer. The two of them arranged to meet March 31 in the coffee shot located in the Indiana Government Center South. During their meeting, Adkins gave Marshall cash and a check. However, the meeting was both audio and video taped using a surveillance camera and a microp0hone hidden on Marshall.
Police arrested Adkins at his home last night. He was booked at the Arrestee Processing Center and released on $15,000 bond. His initial hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, at 9:00 a.m. in Marion Superior Criminal Court 4. If convicted, Adkins faces a maximum sentence of eight year.s
Brizzi had high praise for Marshall. He said, "This just shows that there are hundreds of honest, hard-working, dedicated people in state government whose primary concern is doing what's right."
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