John Court’s transition into the leadership post of the local Democrats has been anything but seemless.

First the party leaders were lambasted by City Councilman Glynn Hines, D-6th, for ousting former Chairman Mike Bynum and then he had to answer questions about personal unpaid federal income taxes.

On Wednesday his self-described friend, Butch Morgan, was indicted for felony voter fraud violations related to forged signatures for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential campaign. Court was active in the St. Joseph County Democratic Party before moving to Fort Wayne.

Court said he has known Morgan for several years, although stressed he wasn’t in South Bend at the time the alleged offenses occurred. Morgan was a close enough friend to travel to Fort Wayne and attend the caucus where Court was elected chairman, drawing a thanks from Court.

In regards to the charges against Morgan and three other Democrats, Court said he simply didn’t know enough to comment. He said in speaking with Morgan he wasn’t informed any indictments loomed. Court said he will wait to see how the legal case unfolds before passing judgment.

“Time will tell, like everything else,” he said.