The Valparaiso lady charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly defacing Commissioner Jim Biggs’ marketing campaign indicators is the previous director of the Memorial Opera House, a county official confirmed Wednesday.
Megan E. Sutton, 42, was booked into the Porter County Jail at 3:49 p.m. Tuesday, in response to the inmate roster. Sutton, who faces a category A misdemeanor cost of prison mischief, has since been launched from jail.
Sutton, in response to an electronic mail from county human relations director Rhonda Young, served as director of the opera home from Sept. 18, 2023, to May 31, when she resigned. His wage was $68,011.
“The director of the opera home experiences on to the board of commissioners,” Biggs, a Chesterton Republican in search of his third consecutive time period as county commissioner, stated Wednesday. He beforehand served two phrases as a commissioner and is a former county board member.
Sutton allegedly used spray paint to deface the indicators, with damages estimated at $900, in response to charging paperwork. According to the fees, the indicators have been broken between September 22 and October 16.
Biggs stated in a telephone interview Oct. 23 that the entire indicators have been in Liberty Township and residents internet hosting the primary two indicators contacted him after they have been broken. Those have been at County Road 900 North and Meridian Road, and 900 North and Calumet Avenue.
A witness contacted Biggs concerning the third signal, additionally on Calumet Avenue close to the 49er Drive-in, after he reportedly noticed somebody spray-painting the signal throughout the road and left, recording along with his cellphone, and yelled on the individual till he left, Biggs stated.
The indicators have been defaced with vulgar language and pictures. Biggs stated he’s keen to have the fees dropped if Sutton receives counseling.
“Given his age and the graphics he used on the indicators, there are clearly issues there and I’m the least of them,” Biggs stated.
According to on-line courtroom paperwork, a particular prosecutor might be assigned to the case. Sutton doesn’t but have an preliminary listening to date.
alavalley@chicagotribune.com
