A debate between three of the four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Lake County sheriff turned feisty Thursday and ended with the audience outright booing one of the candidates.
The sheriff now is asking Lake Superior Judge Stephen Scheele to promptly rule on the underlying question of whether the sheriff possesses contracting authority independent of the county commissioners.
An April court hearing could resolve whether Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. can ink contracts relating to the county jail without having to obtain consent from the county commissioners.
Commissioner Mike Repay, D-Hammond, said Thursday in response to Martinez s request for a restraining order: "The sheriff is taking his passion for courtroom drama to a new level."
Members of the Lake County Board of Commissioners are questioning whether a lawsuit filed against them last month by Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. over a a jail health care contract