INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- An Indiana prosecutor dropped criminal charges against OmniSource Corp. on Wednesday, nine months after his predecessor announced indictments against the metal recycler on charges of corrupt business influence and trying to receive stolen property.
Marion County prosecutor Terry Curry, a Democrat, also said his office will dismiss all pending civil litigation against the subsidiary of Fort Wayne-based Steel Dynamics Inc. and return to the company $300,000 seized by investigators.
Police and federal agents raided six OmniSource scrap yards in February 2009 amid allegations that the company knowingly bought stolen metal.
"The judge in the pending criminal case has ruled that OmniSource was improperly charged as a corrupt business enterprise under Indiana's law," Curry said. "Having now carefully reviewed the case, which was initiated by Grand Jury indictment under my predecessor, I can say that the evidence does not support those allegations. There is simply insufficient evidence that OmniSource or its employees knowingly engaged in any unlawful transactions,
Former Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, a Republican, filed the charges against OmniSource, which operates five scrap yards in Indianapolis and a foundry in Hendricks County.
Mark Millett, president of OmniSource and Steel Dynamics, said in a joint statement with Curry that the company will donate the $300,000 to a city of Indianapolis law enforcement fund for training and other programs.
"The issue has never been about the money that was seized from our yards, but, rather, our business reputation and integrity of our employees," Millett said.
The company employed more than 50 off-duty Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers for security. Curry said there was no evidence the officers were involved in any crimes.
However, IMPD Chief Paul Ciesielski said none of his officers will be allowed to work for the company.
"I have decided that allowing officers to work off duty at OmniSource is not in the best interest of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department," Ciesielski said.
