Grand Rapids Herald Review
Keewatin Mayor Michael LaBine was charged with felony theft on August 19 in Minnesota District Court, stemming from an investigation into allegations from a city employee that LaBine turned a water valve on his property on and off without paying the associated fees to the city, according to court documents.
LaBine, 67, faces two felony theft charges: theft by swindle, and obtaining services with no payment, both carry a maximum sentence of 5 years, a $10,000 fine or both.
He also faces a gross misdemeanor charge of misconduct public officer/employee-exceed authority, which carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail or $3,000 fine, or both. More
LeBine had a water key that let him bypass the meter. He’d been watering his lawn at city expense for years. – Dr. Tar
Don’t all the CA politicians steal water during droughts too?
Exactly how much water is “grand theft”? I get the fraud and theft of services part, but there n is sometiing much more salacious, or small town petty, that they are not telling us.
Yeah, up nort’ near Hibbing, MN which is pretty much Iron Range country….
Maybe he was watering his 18 hole golf course….
This article (you have to work around their demand for a subscription by refreshing) says they estimate he stole around $2,400 worth of water from the city and they’re only looking at the part 3 years.
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/iron-range-mayor-charged-with-stealing-city-services
I think the jail time and fines are pretty excessive. Take his water key, charge him the estimated stolen amount plus interest plus a reasonable fine (say $500) and kick him out of office. Done and Done
“LeBine had a water key that let him bypass the meter.”
How does that work? I have a tool to turn the water on and off, not avoid the meter. Sounds like he had more than a key, something like a switching valve installed before the meter? What, did some plumber owe him a favor for fixing a court case? This sounds like a very white small town crime…no mortgage shenanigans at all.