Monday, March 23, 2015

Page 1

SEASON OVER

Stanford Robinson

Troy Williams

Yogi Ferrell

IU lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday against Wichita State, 81-76, in Omaha, Neb. After the season began in nightmare fashion off the court, the Hoosiers’ year ended without a Tournament win Friday, page 9.

IDS

BASEBALL

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

IU splits doubleheader

INDIANA DAILY STUDENT | IDSNEWS.COM

2nd city employee charged with fraud By Hannah Alani halani@indiana.edu | @HannahAlani

Federal criminal charges have been filed against former office manager for the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Judith Seigle, 51, of Gosport, Ind., United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced March 13. Seigle was indicted by a federal grand jury on a wire fraud charge. She allegedly executed a scheme to steal more than $400,000 in funds intended for Parks Department projects and programs, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. “The citizens of Bloomington deserve better from their paid city employees,” Minkler said in the release. “This is the second employee in less than one year charged with stealing city funds. Public officials need to serve the public and not serve themselves. The projects and programs of the Parks Department exist to benefit the citizens of Bloomington. The indictment alleges that Defendant Seigle used funds intended for the parks as a piggy bank to benefit herself.” The other employee is former Manager for Engineering Services for the City of Bloomington Justin Wykoff, who pled guilty in federal court March 13 to 11 counts of wire fraud for receiving kickbacks from the operators of a local concrete company and awarding City contracts to the company, according to the release. In pleading guilty, Wykoff admitted he was responsible for bidding and awarding contracts for public works projects in Bloomington such as road paving and sidewalk construction. Between April 2011 and February 2014, Wykoff solicited and received substantial cash bribes and kickbacks from Roger Hardin and Zach Hardin, who operated a company called Reliable Concrete and Construction. In exchange for the kickbacks, Wykoff assisted the Hardins in obtaining more than $800,000 in City construction contracts and payments for Reliable Concrete, according to the Department of Justice. Wykoff estimated project costs and prepared bid proposals, using his inside information to ensure Reliable Concrete was the low bidder. In some cases, Wykoff awarded City contracts to Reliable Concrete outright without

Charges against Judith Seigle Used Bloomington Editor's note: Parks Foundation credit cards “issued Incorrect to her or to former photo or deceased removed employees” to make purchases. Created and submitted false bank statements using Microsoft Excel, taping over the actual statements to conceal the misappropriation of funds. Diverted checks intended for the Project School fund by depositing them into the parks foundation account and using the money for her own benefit. Made three purchases totaling $1,250 on a Coldwater Creek credit card issued by Comenity Bank between August and October 2014. Made 29 purchases totaling $30,279 on a third Chase-issued credit card between January 2013 and September 2014. Made 27 purchases totaling $8,714 on a Capital One Bank credit card between September 2011 and September 2014. Made six purchases at Kohl’s department store totaling $1,925 between October 2011 and May 2012. Made 49 purchases totaling $26,787 on a Coldwater Creek credit card issued by Chase Bank between October 2010 and July 2014. Made 40 purchases totaling $39,963 on a second Chase-issued credit card between October 2010 and December 2012. obtaining bids from other contractors. Wykoff also authorized City payments to Reliable Concrete totaling approximately $807,000. Of that amount, approximately $300,000 was for work that was never completed by Reliable Concrete. Seigle, in her position as office manager, was responsible for maintaining certain books and records for the Parks Department as well as books and records for the Bloomington Community Parks SEE SEIGLE, PAGE 6

COURTESY OF ALONNA BRUMBAUGH | THE DAILY COLLEGIAN

In a controversial call, Aaron Novak gets called out at home plate in extra innings at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday. IU won the first game of the doubleheader, 5-4 and lost the second, 13-7.

Game 1

Game 2

5-4

13-7

By Michael Hughes michhugh@indiana.edu | @MichaelHughes94

IU was well on its way to a perfect spring break. Leading Penn State by five runs in the sixth inning Sunday the Hoosiers were close to extending their 12-game winning streak. Then the errors happened. In its 13-7 loss at Penn State (4-14, 1-1) on Sunday, IU (15-5, 1-1) made eight errors, with six in the seventh and eighth innings. Penn State scored 11 runs in those two innings. “We just didn’t play defense,” IU Coach Chris Lemonis said. “If you don’t play defense it’s hard to win.” The defensive breakdown came after IU won the first game of the doubleheader 5-4 in 12

innings. Senior designated hitter Scott Donley hit a walk-off single, scoring sophomore first baseman Craig Dedelow from third base. He said with Dedelow on third base and less than two outs he was just trying to hit the ball somewhere in the outfield. He did when he drove a fastball left over the plate by Penn State pitcher Nick Distasio into center field. Donley finished the first game of the doubleheader 2-for-4 with his 12th inning RBI. In the second game he also went 2-for-4, this time driving in two runs. “I was seeing the ball a lot better this weekend,” Donley said. “I had a couple kinks in my swing I had to work out.” SEE BASEBALL, PAGE 6

IU’s spring break 3-game sweep of then-No. 23 Cal State Fulerton March 14 5-4 (10), win March 14 2-0, win March 15 10-4, win Win against Valparaiso March 17 4-0, win Split doubleheader against Penn State March 22 5-4 (12), win March 22 13-7, loss This week for the Hoosiers Tuesday vs Louisville, 6:05 p.m. Friday at Iowa, 4 p.m. Saturday at Iowa, 3 p.m. Sunday at Iowa, 2 p.m.

Trustees will discuss engineering By Hannah Alani halani@indiana.edu | @hannahalani

IU will begin the process of establishing an engineering program on the Bloomington campus, the University announced Wednesday. The program would be housed within the School of Informatics and Computing, a release said, and would have close ties to other scientific disciplines on campus. The initial plans for the program include the immediate creation of a bachelor’s and doctoral programs, with a master’s degree track to follow. The proposal will be presented to the IU Board of Trustees at its

April meeting. If approved, the degree proposals would move to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. If successful with the Trustees and Commission, SOIC engineering students would enroll for courses in fall 2016, IU Communications spokesman Mark Land said Thursday. “We’ve done our initial groundwork,” Land said. “The timing is right for us to move forward.” The announcement follows the release of an economic development study for southwest central Indiana in late 2014 and is consistent with the recommendations of a University task force, chaired by School of Informatics and Computing Dean Bobby Schnabel.

The program itself would be heavily focused on information technology, not necessarily the kind of engineering that is being studied and applied in West Lafayette in the well-known engineering halls of Purdue University, Land said. “We’re going to play from our strengths,” Land said. “We’re not out to compete.” As the economy becomes more technology dependent, it is imperative that IU fosters a culture that prepares students to compete for the high-demand jobs of the future, said IU President Michael A. McRobbie. SEE ENGINEERING, PAGE 6


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