OmniSource To Donate $300,000 To Indy Law Enforcement After Criminal Charges Dropped

Marion Co. Prosecutor Terry Curry has confirmed that his office is dropping all criminal charges his predecessor, Carl Brizzi, brought against scrap metal giant OmniSource. Curry says the evidence doesn't support the charges against the company. Curry is returning the $277,000 seized from the company during raids on its scrap yards a couple of years ago. Because it is such a generous company, OmniSource will donate $300,000 to the Indianapolis Law Enforcement Fund. Oh, and those more than 50 IMPD officers who worked for the firm will get to resume their off-duty work with the company. From WRTV:

"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 in a news release. "Having now carefully reviewed the case … I can say that the evidence does not support those allegations."

Curry said there wasn't enough evidence to conclude that the company or its workers knowingly took part in unlawful transactions.

The money that was seized from OmniSource during the investigation will be returned, Curry said.
 
In October 2010, then-Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi filed eight felony charges against OmniSource, including corrupt business influence and attempted receipt of stolen property.

The prosecutor's office said it will work with OmniSource to "seek mutually beneficial ways to enhance the detection, identification and prosecution of metal thieves in Marion County."

About 50 Indianapolis police officers who worked part-time for OmniSource had their department-approved permits to work there pulled after the allegations surfaced.

"There is no evidence that any of the officers … were involved in any kind of criminal activity," Curry said. "There is no evidence that officers either condoned or facilitated the sale of stolen goods."

Former OmniSource president Mark Millett said he's pleased charges were dropped and that it will donate $300,000 to Indianapolis' Law Enforcement Fund.

"The issue has never been about the money that was seized from our yards, but rather our business reputation and the integrity of our employees," Millett said.