Samuel Scott Stimmel

Sam Stimmel and his attorney, Doug Allen Bernacchi, were both no shows today at a hearing appealing the court’s denial of a special prosecutor and a release of Stimmel’s funds.

Stimmel’s attorney filed a motion to proceed at public expense on appeal or in the alternative for immediate release of funds and financial accounts on June 16 after the court denied Stimmel’s request for a special prosecutor on May 12. Stimmel’s counsel also filed a motion to proceed at public expense for the appeal, or in the alternative, for immediate release of funds and financial accounts.

Because the hearing today was for an appeal filed by Stimmel’s lawyer, a warrant will not be issued against him. No future date has been set at this time and it is unknown why Stimmel and his lawyer did not attend today’s court proceedings.

A complaint for forfeiture was filed against Sam Stimmel by Syracuse Police Department, Kosciusko County and the state of Indiana early this year.

According to court documents, when Stimmel and his constituents were arrested on Oct. 30, $10,583.75 and one 16 Troy ounce platinum bar — roughly one pound of platinum — were seized at his establishments. Stimmel also had several Teacher’s Credit Union accounts totaling $42,654.01.

The forfeiture sought to have Stimmel forfeit the $53,231.76 of currency and the platinum bar, as it is believed they were intended to be used for illegal activity (see related).

Stimmel was among five individuals arrested Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 when police simultaneously executed warrants at a hotel in Warsaw and at Stimmel’s businesses: California Dreamin, 108 E. Washington St., North Webster, and Stimmelator’s Gentleman’s Club, 114 E. Washington St., North Webster. Stimmel was charged with promoting prostitution, corrupt business influence and two counts of dealing in a synthetic drug lookalike substance (see related).