Leary requests special prosecutor

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Former IU basketball player and radio announcer Todd Leary has requested a special prosecutor in his real estate insurance fraud case.

Robin Niedzwiecki, an official with the Allen County Prosecutor's office said Leary's defense wants a new prosecutor because Allen County's chief deputy prosecutor has a conflict of interest in the case.

Mike McAlexander is named as one of the witnesses.

Leary has entered an initial plea of not guilty in the case.

Todd Leary is facing 17 felony charges stemming from real estate insurance fraud that center around conversion or misappropriation of title insurance funds.

Leary was player number 30 for the Indiana Hoosiers, playing for Bobby Knight during 1989-1994 which included a 1992 Final Four run.  Most recently, Leary has been team’s color commentator.

The Monroe County Sherriff’s Department confirmed Leary was arrested on Allen County charges just minutes before he was to call the IU-Purdue game at Assembly Hall on Thursday, February 4.

Leary lives in Indianapolis and works in Bloomington – but these charges are coming from Allen County because a business he was allegedly associated with – “Fort Wayne Title” – operated here.

Court documents claim Leary once worked for a title insurance broker who pleaded guilty to several charges in a $2.7 million scheme.