Ex-Democatic chairman pleads guilty AP, Indianapolis Star, IN
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Former state Democratic Party Chairman Peter Manous pleaded guilty today to eight federal charges surrounding his role in a $10 million land deal involving a union pension trust fund.
The plea is part of an agreement that requires Manous to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney's Office with its investigation into the land deal.
Manous was indicted in September along with Kevin Pastrick, the son of longtime East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick, and Gerry Nannenga, executive treasurer-secretary of the Indiana Regional Council of Carpenters, Floor Coverers and Millwrights.
The indictment alleged that Pastrick received a $600,000 commission from the sale and paid a $200,000 kickback to Manous, the union's attorney and agent, and another kickback to Nannenga.
Pastrick has pleaded innocent. Nannenga pleaded guilty last year to illegally accepting $45,000 from Manous and Pastrick to approve the investment of union money to buy 55 acres.