Records show Indiana lawmaker backed no-bid contracts while earning commissions from contractor

Newly released records from LaPorte County show Indiana state Rep. Randy Novak approved no-bid payments for contractor Andy Skwiat while also earning real estate commissions tied to Skwiat and his family. The disclosures raise fresh conflict-of-interest questions about a former county council president who later moved into the statehouse.

Why it matters: - The records point to a potential conflict of interest involving a sitting Indiana state representative and his past role in county government. - The documents could sharpen scrutiny of no-bid contracting, disclosure rules and how elected officials handle outside income. - The revelations were published on Monday and were framed by the LaPorte County Republican Party as evidence of ethical and legal problems.

What happened: - LaPorte County Republican Party documents say former LaPorte County Council President Randy Novak approved payments on no-bid government contracts for county contractor Andy Skwiat. - Novak is now serving as an Indiana state representative. - The same records say Novak accepted secret commissions on real estate deals from Skwiat while supporting those contracts. - The evidence cited includes videos, real estate records and minutes from government meetings. - The materials were posted on More information, a website described as a collaborative effort by a group of LaPorte County citizens.

The details: - The records say Novak was the real estate broker on five home sales and two home purchases for Skwiat and his family from 2021 through 2025. - At standard rates, those commissions would have totaled about $100,000. - Council minutes show Novak voted 40 times from 2017 through 2025 to appropriate money for Skwiat contracts or otherwise advance them. - Novak never voted against a Skwiat contract, according to the minutes. - Novak also voted to deny an independent inquiry into whether the no-bid contracts were legal. - Video shows Novak defending the contracts and ordering the county auditor out of the room after the auditor said the no-bid deals were illegal under state law. - The confrontation happened three days after Novak received $15,000 in commissions.

Between the lines: - The timing of the commissions and the contract votes makes the documents especially damaging politically. - The release suggests the issue is not just whether the contracts were legal, but whether voters and fellow officials knew about Novak's financial ties when decisions were made. - Tim Stabosz, the former county auditor, called the situation a “moral and ethical betrayal.” - Commissioner Joe Haney, who defeated Novak in 2024, said elected officials must follow conflict-of-interest laws and that the public deserves every relevant fact before no-bid contract votes.

What's next: - The disclosures may fuel further legal, ethical or political review of Novak's past votes and financial relationships. - The website invites the public to learn more at the full report. - Any formal response from Novak or additional official action was not included in the release.