Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 26, 1993 TAG: 9308260122
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SOUTH BEND, IND. LENGTH: Medium
Lakeberg, 26, admitted a drug and alcohol problem Wednesday as he fended off questions of a possible jail sentence and accusations he has abused charitable donations.
He could be sentenced next week to a year in jail for violating a probation term received after a knife fight at Christmas. He also has failed to account for at least $1,300 in donations he received in the past week, said his attorney, James Lakin.
"I've got a few problems, but I'm not a criminal. This has all gone too far," Lakeberg said after visiting his daughter, Angela, in The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
"The main story is Angela - not my dirty laundry. . . . I do have a drug and alcohol problem, and I'll admit to that. But I'm getting help for that."
Lakeberg returned to Philadelphia Tuesday night after coming to northwest Indiana briefly to bury daughter Amy, who died after last week's separation surgery.
He is due back in Indiana Sept. 3 to appear in Newton Superior Court.
Lakeberg has admitted using marijuana, cocaine and alcohol in violation of a one-year probation term he received May 21, when he agreed to a reduced misdemeanor battery charge stemming from the Christmas scuffle. Traces of cocaine were found in a urine sample, court records show.
The records indicate Lakeberg used a butcher knife to slash the hand of his cousin, Jeffrey Lynn, during a fight at Lynn's Newton County home. The original charge was aggravated battery, a felony.
Brian Mathis, Newton County's chief probation officer, has recommended Lakeberg's probation be revoked. The judge could sentence Lakeberg to the one-year jail term he faced in May.
In March 1990, a misdemeanor battery charge was filed against Lakeberg in Newton County, but that charge was dropped.
In September 1988, he was convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and successfully completed a year's probation. A marijuana possession charge filed at the same time was dropped.
Meanwhile, the Lakebergs' attorney said the couple has spent about $7,900 of the $9,200 collected in an account at a bank near their Wheatfield home.
Lakin said he is the only person authorized to take money from the account, which was set up to help raise money for medical costs. Lakeberg doesn't have access to the account, but until recently had provided a tally of expenses.
About $5,600 was spent on a used Chevrolet to replace the family's battered 1978 Ford, Lakin said. The car was bought while the twins were at a suburban Chicago hospital, and the Lakebergs needed a dependable car for the 90-mile round-trip commute, Lakin said. Other money was used to pay household bills, and Lakin sent Lakeberg's 24-year-old wife, Reitha, $400 on Monday.
However, Lakin is uncertain how Lakeberg spent $1,300 from the account over the past week. Lakeberg offered no clear explanation when he spoke to Lakin on Monday, the lawyer said.
Lakin, who also works as a part-time deputy prosecutor in Jasper County, said he has grown frustrated with Lakeberg's irresponsibility and is eager to end his relationship with the family.
"I think Kenny is just in over his head. . . . I think this is just too much for them. They're media celebrities, and they're just not equipped to deal with it," said Lakin, who has worked free. "It's just more than I want to deal with, frankly."
Family members are worried that the accusations against Lakeberg will hurt future fund-raising efforts, said Straley Thorpe, an attorney who has helped set up a separate trust fund to collect donations. The fund has collected about $5,400 and has paid about $1,900 in hospital bills, Thorpe said.
"If we cannot establish in the public eye the absolute integrity of this fund-raising effort and its independence from Mr. Lakeberg and his alleged misuse of funds, Angela will pay for his misdeeds," Thorpe said.
by CNB