By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Tom Sweeden had no doubt of his father's innocence.
Samuel J. Sweeden was arrested Wednesday on three felony counts: Criminal Enterprises and Racketeering, Embezzlement over $20,000 and Failure to File/False Tax Return. If found guilty, the owner of SamSon Used Car Super Centers in Niles and Goshen, Ind. could face up to 35 years in prison.
Speaking to the Niles Daily Star, from his offices at the Goshen location, the younger Sweeden said he hoped his father's innocence is proven soon.
"I don't hide behind an attorney. I know where the money for the businesses came from and none of it came from Felix Kane's lottery winnings. I just spoke to our accountant yesterday and he said, 'Tommy, I've known your Dad for over 25 years. He has never asked me to do anything the least bit irregular.' This should never become public or part of the criminal system. It is personal family business," Sweden's son said.
Following an extensive investigation, police are alleging that in 2004 Felix Kane, the senior Sweeden's father-in-law, allegedly became financially involved with Sweeden, a Cass County resident.
It is further alleged that over the next two years, Sweeden used his position of trust and influence to transfer some $2 to $4 million including building a home for his in-laws on his 163 Brush Road, Cass County property for an approximate $600,000.
According to the Kanes, he then evicted them from the house, the senior Sweeden now occupies, just six months after they moved from Kansas. They say they were forced to return to Kansas "penniless and destitute."
"Someone should ask the police if they realize we finance 99.9 percent of the cars on our lots. I think this whole case is due to an over zealous prosecutor," Tom Sweeden said.
Sweeden was arraigned in Cass County Court and held awaiting the payment of a $250,000 bond. Tom Sweeden expected his father would be released soon.
Sweeden, his two sons, two daughters and their families run the two business locations.
Sam Sweeden's next scheduled court date is June 1 at 1 p.m. at the Cass County Courthouse.