In January, the Michigan City Police Department and the Indiana State Board of Accounts began a joint investigation into an overpayment from the Michigan City Police Department’s pension fund. It was reported that
pension funds were being deposited into an account belonging to a deceased beneficiary. Through the course of the joint investigation, it was determined that the beneficiary passed away in 2015, however; the pension board was not notified of their passing. The deposited funds were being managed by the executor of the deceased beneficiary’s estate.
Detective/Sergeant Anna Painter was assigned to investigate this overpayment along with an Indiana State Board of Accounts Investigator. As a result of the joint investigation, Detective/Sergeant Painter submitted a Probable Cause Affidavit to Judge Michael Bergerson in Superior Court #1 who found that probable cause existed for the issuance of an arrest warrant. The arrest warrant charged Pamela A. WESTPHAL, 62, of Michigan City with one count of Theft as a Level 5 Felony.
On September 3rd , WESTPHAL was arrested by the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST). WESTPHAL was released on a $15,000 cash bond from the LaPorte County Jail. WESTPHAL made an initial appearance on
September 8th in Superior Court #1 and her next scheduled court date is an omnibus hearing scheduled on October
29th at 8:30 A.M. in La Porte Superior Court #1.
The Michigan City Police Department would like to thank the Indiana State Board of Accounts and the LaPorte
County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.
Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until
proven guilty in a court of law.
