Apr 18, 2007 - 12:28:42 CDT
Felony charges were filed against two employees of the state’s Workforce, Safety and Insurance agency this morning: Sandy Blunt, CEO, and Romi Leingang, manager of the special investigations unit.Three charges were filed in South Central District Court against Blunt: two counts, one Class B and one Class C felony, of misapplication of entrusted property, and one count of conspiracy to commit disclosure of confidential information.
The first count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and the last two charges carry penalties of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Leingang also was charged with the latter, which related to the alleged use of driver’s license photos in an attempt to identify the WSI employee who sent an e-mail containing WSI salary information to employees within the agency, said Burliegh County State’s Attorney Richard Riha.
The first count was in regard to the use of about $18,000 for gift certificates to restaurants, malls and other questionable spending. The second count alleged Blunt improperly awarded bonuses to employees.
Blunt’s attorney, Mike Hoffman, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. WSI communications executive Mark Armstrong declined comment.
Leingang’s attorney, Tim Purdon, said he and his client were disappointed with the charges, saying they both cooperated with the investigation as much as possible.
“We hoped Romi could avoid being included as a defendant due to that cooperation,” Purdon said, adding that she was an employee following direct orders from supervisors.
He declined to comment on whether she was following direct orders from Blunt.
(Read the full story in Thursday’s Bismarck Tribune)
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