Justice in the Shadows: Private Influence and the Case of the Secret Letter The Tippecanoe County Courthouse in Lafayette, Indiana, where local justice is administered. A recent controversy from within its halls has raised questions about backchannel influence in the judicial process. A Secret Letter to Tippecanoe County’s Prosecutor On a Monday afternoon in September 2024, Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington received an unusual email. The sender, Caitie Cataldo, introduced herself as a former court reporter for now-Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush, recalling their past work together in Tippecanoe’s Superior Court. Cataldo wasn’t writing with a simple greeting, however. She had a very specific request : that Harrington ensure a particular inmate—a pregnant woman identified here as AMP —remain incarcerated until she gave birth . Cataldo explained that AMP was her adopted son’s biological mother, a woman struggling with addiction who had alre...
Wabash Watchdog is an investigative blog committed to exposing questionable practices in Tippecanoe County's law enforcement and courts. Using AI tools and public research, we uncover police misconduct, suspicious rulings, and civil rights violations, aiming to promote accountability and transparency. Our mission is to empower the community, drive reforms, and ensure that no authority operates above the law in Tippecanoe. Join us in holding local power accountable.