HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) _ A northwestern Indiana mayor's trial on charges he misused more than $20,000 from his campaign account has been delayed by a day.
Jury selection for the federal trial of Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist and his wife, Deborah Soderquist, was to have started Monday. The (Munster) Times reports that process was delayed because of concerns about the small size of the jury pool.
The Soderquists each face charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and filing false tax returns.
Prosecutors say the couple made more than 40 ATM withdrawals from the mayor's campaign fund within 24 hours of visiting casinos from 2010 to 2012. Prosecutors contend the couple lost more than $160,000 at casinos from 2007 to 2013.
Defense attorney Scott King says the couple legally reimbursed themselves for campaign expenses.
