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BY JIM MASTERS
Times Correspondent | Thursday, July 31, 2003 | (No comments posted.)
EAST CHICAGO -- Two East Chicago police officers have been sentenced for their roles in a gambling scheme at Harrah's Casino and another will go on trial next month in the case.
Lt. William Pabey, 48, and Officer Juan Lopez, 27, both of East Chicago, each pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of conversion, said Diane Poulton, spokeswoman for the Lake County Prosecutor's office.
Pabey entered a plea July 17, and Lopez on July 10. They were originally charged with felony theft.
Pabey was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to make $500 restitution to Harrah's Casino. Lopez was sentenced to a year of probation and $1,000 restitution.
Pending another plea agreement, Lt. Alan Slivko, 42, of Schererville, charged with felony theft, will go on trial Monday before Lake Superior Court Judge Pro Tem Raymond Kickbush.
Pabey, cousin of East Chicago City Councilman George Pabey, D-at large, Lopez and Slivko have been on administrative leave without pay from the police department since May 2002.
Their fate as police officers is in the hands of the East Chicago Board of Safety. Mario Palacios, the board's chairman, said their status is in limbo until the case against Slivko is decided.
Palacios said the officers will likely face a disciplinary hearing, either collectively or individually, which may result in termination. He declined further comment on the case.
An Indiana State Police investigation revealed that Pabey, Lopez and Slivko each received the winning combinations from a Harrah's employee for a casino contest called "Crack the Code" in February 2002. Each man won $1,000 and they were expected to share the loot with two Harrah's Casino employees and a relative of Lopez's, who were also charged with felony theft.
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