Two Workforce, Safety and Insuranceexecutives, charged with felonies, have been released on their promises to appear for all subsequent legal proceedings in their cases.

Sandy Blunt, executive director, and Romi Leingang, manager of the special investigation unit for WSI, appeared Wednesday morning in front of South Central District Judge Robert Wefald for bond hearings.

Assistant State's Attorney Cynthia Feland requested the two be released on a personal recognizance bond, saying she does not see either as a flight risk. A preliminary hearing date has not been set.

Both must stay in the state and attend all hearings.

Blunt was charged with three felonies and faces a total of 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine: 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.

Leingang was charged with conspiracy to commit disclosure of confidential information, which relates to the alleged improper use of a Department of Transportation contract that allows access to driver's license photos.

Blunt's misapplication charge relates to $18,000 in questionable spending uncovered during a state audit of the agency. The disclosure charge relates to the use of a Department of Transportation contract to obtain photos of employees, which were allegedly used to attempt to identify an employee who e-mailed salary information within the agency and to the media.

Attorneys for both Blunt and Leingang say the two will plead not guilty. Tim Purdon, Leingang's attorney, plans to contest the charges at the preliminary hearing. Blunt's attorney did not immediately return phone calls to his office.

Purdon also had filed a motion requesting the denial of expanded media coverage, which allows for cameras in the courtroom. He said he wanted to ensure a fair trial for his client. Wefald denied the motion on Tuesday.

Both Blunt and Leingang were put on administrative leave after the charges were filed on April 18. In the interim, John Halvorson, who has worked for WSI in some capacity for about 13 years, replaced Blunt, who has been director for three years.

(Reach reporter Crystal R. Reid at 250-8261 or at crystal.reid@;bismarcktribune.com.)