HAMMOND- United States Attorney David A. Capp announced today that an Indictment was filed against Pamela Griffin Frizzelle, 52, of Merrillville, Indiana for seven counts of Hobbs Act Extortion.
According to documents filed in the case, Frizzelle, an employee of the Township Assessor’s Office, allegedly solicited money from business owners, who’s businesses engaged in interstate commerce, in exchange for reducing or attempting to reduce tax assessments on or about the following dates: March 2013 from Business Owner 1 for $1000; February 2014 from Business Owner 2 for $200; February 2014 from Business Owner 3 for $600; Oct. 14, 2014 from Business Owner 2 for $400; Oct. 23, 2014 from Business Owner 2 for $200 on behalf of Business Owner 4; Oct. 24, 2014 from Business Owner 4 for $600; and Jan. 25, 2015 from Business Owner 5 for $1000.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary T. Bell.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
