Albert Lea Discussion Forum » Printable Version of Topic » New City Manager charged with felony

Forum: Current Events
Topic: New City Manager charged with felony
started by: Liberal

Posted by Liberal on Aug. 27 2010,2:51 pm

QUOTE

Newly hired City Manager Jim Norman has been charged by way of summons with two felonies and one gross misdemeanor in connection with alleged misuse of public funds.

His charges include:

• One felony count of permitting false claims against government by a public officer

• One felony count of theft with the intent to exercise temporary control

• One gross misdemeanor count of misconduct by a public officer

The charges were filed Thursday by the Waseca County Attorney’s Office after an investigation by the Waseca Police Department.

Look to < www.albertleatribune.com > for more.

Posted by GEOKARJO on Aug. 27 2010,3:01 pm

How will this affect his employment? Does he have to be convicted or will he be suspended until the outcome of his trial? He should plea guilty and resign and save us the money of having to convict him.

Posted by hairhertz on Aug. 27 2010,3:30 pm

Is it true or not that he was told he cold charge stuff as part of his move and then reimburse the city later after getting settled in?

All these charges against people in positions of trust makes me very sad.

Posted by gijoeman on Aug. 27 2010,4:09 pm

This is just comical at this point. City of misfits was my first impression and it'll be my last impression.

Posted by Alfy Packer on Aug. 27 2010,4:21 pm

Lets get that consulting group that brought us Ms. Vicky, and Mr. Norman and pay them somemore money! I don't mind spending money for value! :sarcasm:

Maybe we could go back to the old list and find another city manager out of that group? O' that's right, most of them were tarnished too.

Posted by GEOKARJO on Aug. 27 2010,5:41 pm

QUOTE

Court records showed the following transactions on Norman’s city credit card:

• May 15, AmercInn Motel, Albert Lea, $281.43

• May 17, Hy-Vee, Albert Lea, $34.12

• May 17, Shell Oil, Albert Lea, $37.44

• May 19, AmericInn Hotel, Albert Lea, $209.70

• May 20, Holiday Store, Owatonna, $26.35

• May 21, LDPOST.com, 617-489-5952, Mass., $10

• May 25, Kiev Foods, Prior Lake, $13.58

• May 25, AmericInn Motel, Albert Lea, $104.85

• May 26, Trucker’s Inn, Faribault, $35.57

• May 27, Christo’s Union Depot, St. Paul, $57.25

• May 27, Traffic Operations, 651-487-7207, $12

• May 27, Green Mill Restaurant, Albert Lea, $61.37

• May 28, Hy-Vee, Albert Lea, $16.35

• May 28, Hy-Vee Gas, Albert Lea, $33.58

• May 28, Country Inn & Suites, $115.89

• May 28, Country Market, Albert Lea, $21.17

• May 28, Walmart, Albert Lea, $19.23

• May 29, Kwik Trip, LaCrosse, Wis., $32.55

• May 29, Kwik Trip, LaCrosse, Wis., $10.51

• May 30, Jeff HWY Lil STR, Rochester, $33.93

• May 30, Shopko, Albert Lea, $7.99

• May 30, Hy-Vee, Albert Lea, $59.58

• May 30, Pilot, Mauston, Wis., $20.60

• May 31, Walmart, Albert Lea, $31.57

• May 31, Shell Oil, Albert Lea, $3.84

• June 1, Herberger’s, Albert Lea, $59.99

• June 1, The Home Depot, Albert Lea, $973.01

• June 2, Kwik Trip, Albert Lea, $33.78

• June 3, Thompson Sanitation, Clarks Grove, $64.51

• June 3, LDPOST.com, 617-489-5952, Mass., $20

• June 26, Radisson Hotel, St. Cloud, $120.87

• July 13, County Market, Albert Lea, $71.30

• July 14, Shell Oil, Austin, $35.77

• July 15, Wedgewood Cove Golf Club, Albert Lea, $71.30

QUOTE

“Obviously I don’t agree with many of the items in the investigation,” he said. “It’s in my best interest to get an attorney.”

Hire Peggy Roskow Eskins best criminal defense in town she could get you off.

Posted by hairhertz on Aug. 27 2010,5:45 pm

Geo, thanks for the details.

Posted by GEOKARJO on Aug. 27 2010,5:52 pm

I would like to be a fly on the wall in that household right now it seems to me there could be some unusual hotel charges prepaid phone card and diner charges.

Posted by gijoeman on Aug. 27 2010,6:37 pm

This whole thing is weird. Y give this guy a card then?

Let me get this straight. They give this guy a charge card and say he's authorized to use it for expenses and then charge him with crimes when they don't like what he charged? That's not right. You let the individual submit a claim for reimbursement. This way the guy knows up front that he may end up paying all or part of that radisson Hotel bill or groceries. The city blind sided this guy and that's no way to start a relationship. This council is not fit to govern. When they gave him a credit card, they authorized these expenses. These charges will be thrown out of court. Someone has an ax to grind with this guy. Prolly a cop.

*addition:

After reading the story in the Tribune it's clear to me that BOTH are at fault here, but probably more so the new city guy who was broke with ZERO credit and so had to use our credit. I know minimum wage employees credit checked...why not this guy?

And why does the city give department heads these cards and trust them in the first place? That's just plain wrong. They should be writing claims and filling out purchase orders or requisitions. It's too easy for anyone to cheat on small purchases(anyone could nickel and dime us to death with these cards and we have Rhonda Moen the watchdog? :rofl:

I trust Moen about as much as her husband. :blush:

We shouldn't have a "trust" situation set up with Rhonda Moen the insurer of that trust. Period.

Period.

.

Posted by MADDOG on Aug. 27 2010,8:49 pm

(Alfy Packer @ Aug. 27 2010,4:21 pm)

QUOTE

Lets get that consulting group that brought us Ms. Vicky, and Mr. Norman and pay them somemore money! I don't mind spending money for value! :sarcasm:

Maybe we could go back to the old list and find another city manager out of that group? O' that's right, most of them were tarnished too.

That would be the Brimeyer Group. They also brought us Gabe, Kluever and I think Gene Smith.

Gee, this great big new jail too.

Posted by Common Sense For A.L. on Aug. 27 2010,10:06 pm

I wonder how Moen feels turning in her boss for spending money he shouldn't have when she and her husband owe thousands to the city in assesments to the city???
Maybe someone should demand her debt paid up now!!!
Would also like to know how much money has been spent on hiring this clown, moving exspenses. investigation money when the city is in a money crunch??

Posted by busybee on Aug. 27 2010,10:42 pm

QUOTE

After reading the story in the Tribune it's clear to me that BOTH are at fault here,

How is that?

After I read the story, it's clear to me the city manager lied, more than once and to more than one person when he was busted for his choices to misuse the city's funds.

It's also clear the new city manager was well informed about what to use and not to use the credit card for, yet thought himself entitled to misuse it anyway.

QUOTE

And why does the city give department heads these cards and trust them in the first place? That's just plain wrong.

It's not a crime, nor is it wrong to trust someone who sells themselves as trustworthy.

Posted by busybee on Aug. 27 2010,10:45 pm

What irritates me the most is the "paid leave" this guy is still being paid.

Posted by Alfy Packer on Aug. 27 2010,11:02 pm

He is still with benefits to prevent law suites and backpay issues with penalties that could come back on the city if he is not convicted of the charges. This might change after the city attorney has some time to study this.

What irritates me is what has the city personnel manager been doing through this whole process of interviewing, candidates and hiring a city manager. I would like his job defined for me. Just what does this overpaid ass due for his wage! If you recall he was totally hands off in this whole process, as was the city council. We hired counsultants, and everybody held their noses as they moved as far away from the process as they could by appointing a special community committee to assist in the selection. When the person selected by the commity rejected the city's offer, caution was throwen to the wind and it appeared to be anybody will due.

The process stunk from the counsultant right up to the hire. Shame on you all!

Posted by gijoeman on Aug. 28 2010,12:12 am

^For once I agree with the old man. Total scam from start to finish. Paid high dollar to get a guy with no credit. REAL good choice to watch our money. :finger:

Posted by justmealmn on Aug. 28 2010,12:51 am

Oh well one day Albert Lea will learn....don't you think?

Posted by gijoeman on Aug. 28 2010,1:06 am

OK, now I'm gonna break it down for you. The city isn't concerned about the AMOUNT of money spent just what it was spent on which is kind of silly when you think about it. They allowed $5000 just for moving which this guy didn't use. He had no credit card and no credit, so he needed other things like a frig and gas.

Here's what he should've done. Hooked up with private mover who he should've paid well and got a kickback. Everyone's happy. Mover gets paid well. Guy gets much needed cash in his pocket to move and he won't need to use the cities card for personal expenses.

The city actually saved money on this guy because he didn't gouge them on moving. When they said 5k for moving expenses he probably thought he could spend it how he saw fit only the city wanted it just for the movers. Dumb. He should've said I'll take the 5 grand but I need the freedom to spend it where I need it. The city is being dumb here.

"Here's a $5,000 for some cake but don't you dare spend $10 on candles! This money is for the cake only!" :laugh:

Posted by nphilbro on Aug. 28 2010,1:30 am

The good 'ol boys still have it together, don't they. Maybe they should get a big bed to share so they can do to each other what they're doing to you.

Kenneth Lay thinks this town is corrupt and run by self-serving jack wads.

Investigating towns to move a company in or out of, Albert Lea is now a ringer for anyone tasked with investigating cities.

I'm sorry for you folks at the forum. You get it.

Posted by nphilbro on Aug. 28 2010,1:38 am

The douche hound above makes a good point. I'd have to mostly agree with him. It would keep spending private and moving cheap.

However- a dude whoe can't get a CC is not the best candidate to be a city manager.

Posted by Liberal on Aug. 28 2010,2:12 am

The guy still admitted he was scammin on the Feds with the credit card debt program. He also "allegedly" filed a false claim, and the two stories in the e-mails tell us something isn't on the up and up. Add to that the fact that he apparently participated in the police interviews without an attorney present tells us that he's probably not that bright.

I feel sorry for the guy, he made some poor choices and it's going to make finding future work pretty difficult. It reminds me of an old friend's sayings, "Never kill the goose that lays the golden eggs." and "Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.".

Posted by gijoeman on Aug. 28 2010,3:36 am

I don't approve of the idea of city credit cards to department heads and then having Rhonda Mowen acting as the spending policemen. This a a situation that should not and never should've existed. Who's policing Rhonda?

No credit cards. You can write a check just as easy. Does Ronda Mowen have one of these cards? Her husband is selling homes and no repay in the works. It's good to be the Moens.

Sing along now...You can be a mowen, I can be a Mowen...Wouldn't you like to be a Mowen the lawn too?

Posted by Alfy Packer on Aug. 28 2010,7:52 am

This is a mess, and I'm sure none of us will agree on everything concerning what has happened, but I believe that enough has happened that it is time to start looking at what we will do in the future. In that future I believe that:
1) Jim Norman can no longer be looked at to successfully manage the City of Albert Lea, and the city needs to act prudently but quickly;
2) The process that brought us Jim Norman is greatly flawed, needs to be studied, and overhauled, assigning specific duties and accountabilities for individuals in the hiring process; and
3) Upon entering the hiring process, and compiling a listed of potential candidates that proves to be unsuitable, there needs to be a step that asks the question, SHOULD WE START OVER? That goes for when the acceptable candidates reject the job offer, the process shouldn't be allowed to slog on to a less than acceptable conclusion.
Now I liked having community input in the process this last time, but the way it was done left nobody accountable, nobody responsible, everybody at risk, with maximum deniability for the outcome. We earned this mess, lets learn from it and do a better job for ourselves as we move forward.

Posted by MADDOG on Aug. 28 2010,10:35 am

Obviously, the five finalist were not good finalists.

< 3 of 5 fired or terminated > I have to wonder out of 70 applications, how they came up with the final five?

Brimeyer does an extensive background search of potential candidates. Sooo, if that's the case, I think I'd be looking for a different firm.

QUOTE

The Brimeyer Fursman Guarantee

We offer an 18-month guarantee to clients who utilize our complete process. Should the client determine it necessary to terminate the candidate due to failure to adequately perform the duties as specified in the Position Profile, we will refill the position for expenses only.

Posted by MADDOG on Aug. 28 2010,10:57 am

Of course they could hire Ahern to find one. No long lines of applicants, no background or education check and no experience necessary.

Posted by alcitizens on Aug. 28 2010,12:09 pm

I couldn't believe it when I heard he had no credit. Why would anyone hire a person in a business management position that can't even manage their own life? :crazy:

Posted by MADDOG on Aug. 28 2010,1:41 pm

(alcitizens @ Aug. 28 2010,12:09 pm)

QUOTE

I couldn't believe it when I heard he had no credit. Why would anyone hire a person in a business management position that can't even manage their own life? :crazy:

Oh, he had credit. You can't get that far through life and not develop credit. What kind of credit is another thing.

Personally I am not one who believes that an employer should have the right to check an applicants credit. I believe it is an infringement of their personal rights. That said, nearly all employers do check credit and most check driving record too. A person who has a poor credit or driving record tends to not be the most reliable person to put in a workforce. It's not the credit or driving record so much the reason to not hire one. It's the habit they chose that got them there. Given a choice, a smart employer will hire one with good records first.

“Thinking is the greatest torture in the world for most people.” -?

Posted by twingroves on Aug. 28 2010,2:14 pm

dumb people hiring dumb people is what it looks like :finger:

Posted by alcitizens on Aug. 28 2010,2:26 pm

I figured he had bad credit at his age.. I'm sorry, I don't want someone running anything to do with Full City Budget Management that has bad credit, that would be just plain crazy..

Posted by Santorini on Aug. 28 2010,5:16 pm

(MADDOG @ Aug. 28 2010,10:57 am)

QUOTE

Of course they could hire Ahern to find one. No long lines of applicants, no background or education check and no experience necessary.

Posted by MADDOG on Aug. 28 2010,6:36 pm

(MADDOG @ Aug. 27 2010,8:49 pm)

QUOTE

(Alfy Packer @ Aug. 27 2010,4:21 pm)

QUOTE

Lets get that consulting group that brought us Ms. Vicky, and Mr. Norman and pay them somemore money! I don't mind spending money for value! :sarcasm:

Maybe we could go back to the old list and find another city manager out of that group? O' that's right, most of them were tarnished too.

That would be the Brimeyer Group. They also brought us Gabe, Kluever and I think Gene Smith.

Gee, this great big new jail too.

That would be the Brimeyer Group. They also brought us Gabe, ~~Kluever~~ and I think Gene Smith.

Sorry. The county chose not to go with Brimeyer on this one.

Posted by Bluehosta on Aug. 28 2010,7:49 pm

I think if hes looking for work, Sheriff Harig might hire him to work in Civil Process or manage the seizure sales for him.

Posted by gijoeman on Aug. 28 2010,8:30 pm

We gave the police a license to steal and Harig validated it. A bigger man like Matt Dillon never would've seized ole Bens thangs to use for himself even if they said he could.

Posted by Liberal on Aug. 29 2010,1:30 am

Maybe he was telling the truth about the shoes? :sarcasm:

< http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S1718304.shtml?cat=10219 >

Posted by Grinning_Dragon on Aug. 29 2010,12:44 pm

(Liberal @ Aug. 27 2010,2:51 pm)

QUOTE

What a city Albert Lea has become. :rofl:

Posted by bulldog on Aug. 29 2010,7:02 pm

didnt any one do the homework on this guy. If his credit is so bad , maybe we should have passed on him . Andthey always say i was gonna pay it back ,after they get caught .
and now he is on paid leave . omfg

Posted by scary on Aug. 29 2010,7:21 pm

It's albert lea :dunce:

Posted by mncowgirl on Aug. 30 2010,8:25 am

maybe he was getting the stuff he charged for Mrs Tuttle? lol lol as far as im concerned he should be fired, made to pay the money back with 5% interest, the city always charges us interest when we owe the city so it should be the same with him.

Posted by Botto 82 on Aug. 30 2010,9:55 am

We have only ourselves to blame for this culture wherein civic leaders blatantly defile the public trust. We've been letting them get away with murder for so long, they probably think it's expected of them.

A conflict of interest here, some corporate influence there, a slap on the wrist for something that you or I would be nailed to the cross for, and where is the public outcry?

Who is willing to give up a little of their free time to speak out against all this and take action? Nobody, that's who.

Posted by bianca on Aug. 30 2010,10:20 am

...now one in Austin...whew! How can people keep up with these crooks?

QUOTE

AUSTIN — The wife of an Austin police lieutenant is being accused of embezzling funds while working as the clerk-treasurer for the city of Mapleview.

Dawn Marie Mueller, 46, a current part-time employee with the Mower County Auditor’s Office and wife of lieutenant John Mueller, was accused Wednesday in Mower County court of one count of embezzlement of public funds, one court of theft by check, two counts of theft and two counts of misconduct by a public employee.

The accusations come on the heels of an audit completed by the Office of the State Auditor on the city of Mapleview. The audit revealed a number of holes in the city of Mapleview finances between 2000 and 2008, including bank overdrafts totaling $6,186 and missing funds that were supposed to be transferred from the city to fire relief assistance. The audit also uncovered private use of funds between 2001-08.

In a taped July 6, 2010 interview with investigators, Mueller said she had used city funds for personal purchases, but that others, including a former city council member and a clerk-treasurer, had also made similar purchases.

Mueller also said she issued a payroll check two days in a row — on July 1 and July 2, 2007 — one valued at $525 and the other at $507. Both checks were cashed. According to the complaint, Mueller could not explain why. A similar incident occurred again on June 1 and June 5, 2008, with checks valued at $421 and $295.

According to the complaint, the OSA found no transfers of funds made from the city of Mapleview to the fire relief assistance from 2005-07.

When asked about the transfer of funds from the city to fire relief assistance, Mueller said in the taped interview that the Minnesota Department of Revenue would deposit funds in the city checking account. The city would then write a check to relief assistance and relief assistance would put it into their account. According to the complaint, the account was short $26,801.

Mueller was also accused of spending $41 at a Staples store for the purchase of school supplies. While Mueller said she does have a school-aged child, she said the supplies were for the county.

Neither John nor Dawn Mueller could be reached by phone Thursday.

The OSA also revealed bank overdrafts between 2002-08 totaling $6,186, according to the complaint.

Mueller will appear in court on Sept. 23.

How often do these audits occur? :dunno:

I wonder what one done here would produce? Do they do it for city and county at the same time? :blush:

Posted by Alfy Packer on Aug. 30 2010,10:45 am

If you were looking at accepting the job of City Manager for Albert Lea, what things would you look at before accepting or rejecting an offer of employment?

If you did accept the offer, there would be a question of can anyone work with Quick Draw, the city finance director? I quess it has been said that Ms Moen had stated that she wasn't going to work with Norman before the issue with the city credit card. So should we have been asking Ms Moen for her input before considering who her boss was to be?

Are there other "Dead Eye" department managers that will need to be given wide birth by any new City Manager? This in addition to looking at the local economy, and buget pressures are all things I would be looking at if I were to consider a job requiring relocation.

I'm not saying that Norman appeared to be up to the task, but it is kind of hard to get started in a job when the team has it in for you from the start.

Posted by Whiskero on Aug. 30 2010,5:01 pm

I don't understand something. I was willing to give Jim the benefit of the doubt-a misunderstanding or whatever---
But when I read in the paper yesterday, that he stated he grabbed the wrong debit/credit card by mistake, that right there was disturbing. Then, the next paragraph, stated he got his own debit/credit card after this so-called transaction. What is up with that?

Posted by Alfy Packer on Aug. 30 2010,6:00 pm

Ever been caught in a bad situation and attempted to come up with answers that would cast you in a better light. Some would call it a fib. What ever you call it, did it make you think better of him?

Posted by gijoeman on Aug. 30 2010,7:26 pm

Today we're not judged whether we lie as much as we're judged for the quality of our lies. Sad but true in today's world. When societies declare wars on itself, the first casualty is often the truth.

Posted by busybee on Aug. 31 2010,12:40 am

Gijoeman!

Absolutely AGREE!!!

TRUTH and HONESTY does not FIT into "society norms" very well anymore!

Posted by Whiskero on Aug. 31 2010,8:38 am

Yes, I think less of him.
He couldn't even keep his lies straight!

Posted by GEOKARJO on Aug. 31 2010,2:01 pm

Well he is no Miss Vicky. I wonder what she is thinking as she reads all this.

Posted by twingroves on Aug. 31 2010,2:42 pm

shes thinking they said that i was bad matbe the city should check on why he was buying womans shoes and other things :cheer:

Posted by canvasback on Aug. 31 2010,3:07 pm

For his wife, the non-english speaking wife from Russia, Bosnia or somewhere in the former eastern block, whom he shields and protects and won't let anyone talk to her or vica versa.

Posted by ICU812 on Aug. 31 2010,3:13 pm

Just adds to the ol' "never trust a guy with two first names" theory.

Posted by ControlledHyperness on Aug. 31 2010,4:01 pm

I still have to wonder how much of this came about because he got too close to the truth about Tiger Hills?? I mean, as I read the article, Moen sent an email, and he repaid most of what he owed at that point. Once she saw that, an additional $64 came to light, and when he balked at THAT, the feds were brought in. I agree with some of the posters that there was some lying going on, but as I saw it, the lying went two ways. I mean, if you were to look at this whole thing thru the eyes of the Tiger Hills fiasco, a LOT of things that the article mentions begins to make sense. Do I know if he is the wrong 100%, no (innocent till proven guilty or alfred plea is entered

)...but given Albert Lea's track record...wouldn't suprise me if he was guilty of at least something.

Posted by hairhertz on Aug. 31 2010,5:54 pm

Ms. Moen & Mr. Moen need to come clean about Tiger Hills. Why isn't this an issue with the council?

CH is probably right, imho.

Posted by gijoeman on Aug. 31 2010,6:05 pm

Because it's the council that's allowing them to essentially steal. We chose to go into business with the Moens and when things went bad we picked up the whole tab. When and if things get better, the Moens can pay us back at their leisure without penalty and interest and they can keep any and all profit. As long as we're covring and funding Tiger Hills, I see no reason why the Moens should be funding anything themeselves. That wouldn't be very smart.

Posted by Liberal on Sep. 01 2010,1:41 pm

Pretty good editorial, but I don't know if I agree with summarily firing him if he refuses to resign.

QUOTE

Albert Lea City Manager Jim Norman should resign.

Immediately.

If he doesn’t, the Albert Lea City Council should fire him.

He faces felony and gross misdemeanor charges related to misuse of public funds. He allegedly used the city credit card for personal use on items ranging from a refrigerator to women’s shoes and later claimed they were moving expenses, despite explanations from city staff on how to use the credit card properly.

Even if Norman is exonerated from these allegations, there is no way the man can lead the city government following such a divide between Norman and the department heads who discovered the discrepancies. There is no way the people of Albert Lea could ever fully trust him with their tax dollars ever again. There is no way the Albert Lea City Council could look Norman straight in the eye for an honest answer after the upcoming court fight.

Norman presently is on suspension with pay pending the outcome of a City Council special meeting on Thursday.

Norman might decide to hold out for a severance package or some kind of deal, instead of merely stepping down.

But we suggest this to our city leaders: The people of Albert Lea do not feel that Norman deserves one thin dime in severance. He does not deserve one red cent in pay, either.

If at some future date it turns out the allegations are untrue, that is was all some big mistake, then and only then give him the necessary back pay.

On Thursday, the City Council should ask Norman for his immediate resignation. If he does not give it, then the council should summarily terminate his employment.

True, people are innocent until proven guilty. But for employment purposes, city managers are held to a higher standard than most workers. City managers should not and cannot find themselves facing felony charges in the first place. City managers should not and cannot get mired in legal trouble, in particular when it comes to the spending of the public funds.

Posted by Whiskero on Sep. 01 2010,2:35 pm

I don't know if I care for the statement: The people of Albert Lea do not feel... I wasn't asked my opinion on this matter.

Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 01 2010,2:41 pm

Nice, forceful editorial. That's true and perhaps a little too opinionated in basically calling for his head.

One question.

Who wrote that? Was it the publisher, editor or a staff writer?

Why didn't they sign it? Were they afraid to publish their name?

Posted by Archie on Sep. 03 2010,12:35 am

Just for the record, Gene Smith was not recruited by the Brimeyer Group. He was recruited by the law
firm of Barna Guzy And Steffan which represents this County in matters of labor law to this day.

Posted by grassman on Sep. 03 2010,6:49 am

I think if everything that goes on in Albert Lea was reported to the FEDS, you would need a bigger jail. :rofl:

Posted by Bluehosta on Sep. 03 2010,8:54 am

Norman has been caught. I'm concerned to see who steps up and says they made a mistake, not everone saying no mistakes were made. "GRIP" Get Ride of Incumbant Politicians.

Posted by ICU812 on Sep. 03 2010,9:28 am

Through all of this fiasco I have one thought that keeps coming to my small mind.

Why did/does he or any city employee for that matter have a city issued credit card?

Posted by bulldog on Sep. 03 2010,9:46 am

Just call him tricky Dick
Im NOT A CROOK
:peaceout:

Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 03 2010,10:07 am

(ICU812 @ Sep. 03 2010,9:28 am)

QUOTE

Through all of this fiasco I have one thought that keeps coming to my small mind.

Why did/does he or any city employee for that matter have a city issued credit card?

The county issues them too.

Posted by Archie on Sep. 03 2010,3:33 pm

With proper controls and procedures there are several good reasons for a government to use credit cards.
1) in most cases they provide an equal or better audit trail than do things like petty cash funds for small purchases.
2) in a the cost of managing a paper system such as those used by many governments is more expensive and less sustainable.
For routine purchasing they can be easier and less time intensive, i.e. my custodian needs a new broom from Ace Hardware do I a) pay his hourly wage to come in for a petty cash disbursement or to request a purchase order or do I trust him in a properly controlled and audited environment to take his credit card, make the purchase and submit the itemized receipt the next time he is n the office?
Think about it, which do see more about in the media rip offs using cash or purchasing abuses or credit card abuses by public employees.
If Mr Norman is guilty of something it may be the use of a credit card which provides substantial evidence. It may also establish his innocence.
The key is proper procedure and controls.

Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 04 2010,2:58 pm

QUOTE

Well, at the very least, let me say that I fully agree with the Tribune Editorial Board’s position

I apologize to the Editorial Board for not taking the time

I highly value a good community newspaper

the Albert Lea Tribune is a credit to the community

I hold no grudge for the Tribune Editorial Board

I would like the chance to restore that trust with the Tribune staff

The Tribune is the city’s voice and its forum for community conversation
< so sorry >

The Tribune must love this one?

How many times can a guy suck up in one editorial?

Posted by bulldog on Sep. 05 2010,8:55 am

maybe since he is still getting paid they should have him come in and scub toilets and floors, let him work a little for his money

Posted by busybee on Sep. 05 2010,10:31 am

I don't understand why Norman is on paid leave.

Why wasn't he fired?

Any other resident who lives in the City of A.L. would have been fired by every other local business in A.L./Freeborn County for what Norman is being accused and criminally charged with as an employee for the City.

Why isn't he required to seek unemployment benefits? To do job searches and PROVE he is trying to be a productive member of Albert Lea, MN?

Doesn't the City of A.L. pay into unemployment tax?

I honestly don't know the particulars and that is why I ask. :blush:

It just seems WRONG to me that the Citizens of A.L. are paying Norman who is being charged criminally with misusing "A.L. Citizens Funds."

It seems WRONG that Norman is going to live comfortably because of being paid by the City of A.L. & Citizens to be a "full time Defendant" through the Judicial System "processes" and "time line?"

We all know that the rights to due process for Defendant's can be lengthy, lasting at least a year or two years before a trial or plea bargain is even entertained in the process towards the "finalization" of a criminal case.

Are the Citizens of A.L. going to be expected to provide financially for the "comfort" of Norman along with paying someone else to do the job he was hired to do for the City of A.L. and it's Citizens?

If that's the case here in this City/County, it's defiantly time for something BETTER than this CRAP!

Posted by twingroves on Sep. 05 2010,10:56 am

simply put crooks paying crooks heres to you al :finger:

Posted by busybee on Sep. 05 2010,12:12 pm

MADDOG · Posted on Sep. 04 2010,2:58 pm

QUOTE

The Tribune must love this one?

Although I like the Tribune's position against Norman, I can't help but wonder if they only took this position because Norman was an "outsider" to begin with.

I have yet to see an editorial against and in forceful opposition of an "insider" of the "community" and those involved as "government groupies." The Tribune is either wishy washy or silent during those times.

QUOTE

How many times can a guy suck up in one editorial?

Norman is doing very well being a suck up and an "outsider" claiming to have had NO INTENTION to DECEIVE A.L. and it's Citizens.

It doesn't matter what Norman's intentions were. He obviously isn't morally intelligent enough to comprehend and understand the contract he signed with the City of A.L.

That's scary!!!

Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 05 2010,6:15 pm

QUOTE

I suspected that the Tribune went after him for the same reasoning. He hasn't had the chance to become a 'charter member' of the leadership community that keeps us in the national news.

What he is accused of is relatively petty. I don't think every employer would have fired him solely on that reason if he had always seemed to be a model employee for a lengthy period, but a fresh employee as he is. Yep. Any good employer would have terminated him immediately. He would have been escorted to the door to make sure he didn't run off with the door knob. He wouldn't have even been allowed to clear his desk. They would have done that for him. He would have had to ask for his job back if he had the courage.

QUOTE

It just seems WRONG to me that the Citizens of A.L. are paying Norman who is being charged criminally with misusing "A.L. Citizens Funds."

It's because they can't without fear of being sued. The law and legal system tell an employer who he hired and who he can't fire.

This doesn't affect me directly. The city hasn't annexed me yet. :laugh:

I just have to wonder though. Why would Moen of all people be worried about the city manager borrowing a little old amount of $2300?

Posted by twingroves on Sep. 05 2010,6:28 pm

she wants to make a lot noise about him so nobody is looking at her :finger:

Posted by intheknow on Sep. 05 2010,6:30 pm

It does seem ironic that the city finance director is leading the charges against the new city manager.

Does it totally escape her that her credit rating might be crap if taxpayers weren't giving her and her husband a free ride with Tiger Hills?

Legalized theft - approved by a clueless city council - includiing vern rasmussen, george marin, etc.

Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 05 2010,7:40 pm

If Rhonda Moen is the credit card policeman...who's policing her?

That's what I thought. Herself.

That's not a scenario that should even exist.

1. Why did the city choose to go into business with the finance director? Seems like a major conflict of interest from the start.

2. What are the details of this deal and how did it change when Mr. Moen came before the council and said he couldn't hold up his end.

Moen IS selling homes right now, just list one with him and he'll tell you all about how good he's doing and how he's selling a little lower priced homes in Tiger Hills now then before. 180 range instead of 250.
If I were him I'd let you fund me as long as I could get away with which we all know in this town is forever or until I decise to pay you something back. Hell, I'd just have my wife cut a few checks.

Posted by twingroves on Sep. 05 2010,8:20 pm

looks like the fox is watching the chicken house heres to you RM :finger:

Posted by Common Sense For A.L. on Sep. 05 2010,10:35 pm

Why did Moen call the state auditor? It seems to me she should have talked with the Mayor and council or even the city attourny first?
She seems to have gained a lot of power in the city and went over her bosses heads [Mayor] to get this issue to the state and how ironic is that since her husband and her are not paying there fair share in taxes and paying on assesments owed!!!
I bet she misses sticky Vicky!!!

Posted by Geek Squad on Sep. 05 2010,10:38 pm

What is going on with this town. One thing after another. If it's not Albert Lea it's Austin messing up. Who can you trust nowdays?

Posted by Wolfie on Sep. 06 2010,12:39 am

From how I understand it the city charter prevents the council from outright firing him for his misdeeds. Thats how it was explained to me. I will have to read the city charter, if that is the case then what needs to happen is the city charter needs to be changed.

Posted by Geek Squad on Sep. 06 2010,12:59 am

(bulldog @ Sep. 05 2010,8:55 am)

QUOTE

maybe since he is still getting paid they should have him come in and scub toilets and floors, let him work a little for his money

I hear ya. They gave the guy a vacation.

Posted by twingroves on Sep. 06 2010,7:06 am

roger would have fun whit this good old rog

Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 06 2010,8:56 pm

QUOTE

What is going on with this town. One thing after another. If it's not Albert Lea it's Austin messing up. Who can you trust nowdays?

Your local doper, that's who.

Posted by ControlledHyperness on Sep. 13 2010,4:18 pm

Just as I said I found it interesting that Rhonda (as have a few others that I have noticed) is leading the charge, I find it interesting the State Auditor is stepping back and not doing anything. Maybe he figured it was one big game of get back?? :dunno:

Seems to me, if the State Auditor won't do anything, then there really isn't anything to go after anymore...so why continue?

< Auditor Steps Back >

Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 13 2010,5:23 pm

Moen didn't like the idea of a new criminal taking over her territory. He was gonna be her boss and no one is the boss of Rhonda. If anyones gonna work the books it's gonna he her! :;):

I thrive on strong women. I eat em for lunch.

Attorney Peggy Rockow, you're next you filthy liar.

Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 13 2010,7:36 pm

T it sounds like you're picking a fight?

Posted by Common Sense For A.L. on Sep. 13 2010,8:03 pm

Gijoeman you sound like a bag of hot air [Mark C.] and would run and cry at the face to face confrontation of a strong woman!!!
You are nothing but a bad ass wanna bee.

Posted by busybee on Sep. 13 2010,10:23 pm

Common Sense For A.L. · Posted on Sep. 13 2010,8:03 pm

QUOTE

Gijoeman you sound like a bag of hot air [Mark C.] and would run and cry at the face to face confrontation of a strong woman!!!
You are nothing but a bad ass wanna bee.

Hey now...don't be putting down the "bee's" around here. :laugh:

Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 14 2010,11:03 am

So now the city is looking for an interim manager until they get this all ironed out. In the meantime, the city finance director will have the authority to authorize purchases for the city over $500.

What are the city councilmen thinking? :dunno:

Why isn't the mayor and mayor pro-tem handling this? Instead they give the job to Tiger Hills, Inc.?

Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 14 2010,11:04 am

(gijoeman @ Sep. 13 2010,5:23 pm)

QUOTE

Moen didn't like the idea of a new criminal taking over her territory. He was gonna be her boss and no one is the boss of Rhonda. If anyones gonna work the books it's gonna he her! :;):

I thrive on strong women. I eat em for lunch.

Attorney Peggy Rockow, you're next you filthy liar.

You still haven't elaborated on this?

Posted by Geek Squad on Sep. 14 2010,12:39 pm

(Common Sense For A.L. @ Sep. 13 2010,8:03 pm)

QUOTE

Gijoeman you sound like a bag of hot air [Mark C.] and would run and cry at the face to face confrontation of a strong woman!!!
You are nothing but a bad ass wanna bee.

I think you got the wrong person. It's not Mark C. ( Joe The Plumber) / I'm pretty sure your thinking of Willy B. ( TTT or Minnow. )

I can see how you got mixed up by the hockey avitar.

Posted by OEF_Soldier on Sep. 14 2010,4:30 pm

(Geek Squad @ Sep. 14 2010,12:39 pm)

QUOTE

(Common Sense For A.L. @ Sep. 13 2010,8:03 pm)

QUOTE

Gijoeman you sound like a bag of hot air [Mark C.] and would run and cry at the face to face confrontation of a strong woman!!!
You are nothing but a bad ass wanna bee.

I think you got the wrong person. It's not Mark C. ( Joe The Plumber) / I'm pretty sure your thinking of Willy B. ( TTT or Minnow. )

I can see how you got mixed up by the hockey avitar.

Yeah he's got the wrong name attached to the multiple personality queen of AL.com.

Although he is right that Willy would run at the first sign of a confrontation with a woman who could drop kick his sorry a$$.

Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 15 2010,8:02 pm

Do you suppose this situation had anything to do with the current mayors decision "not" to run?

Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 15 2010,8:08 pm

In light of all that goes, and has gone on, in the illustrious circles of the so called local leadership, it is basically hypocritical for any of them to call someone else out on unscrupulous behavior. IMO

Stepping over the line in matters ethical or otherwise is all the same, it doesn't matter if it's with your big toe or your whole leg, if you step over it.

How can many of these people, the so called finance director included, call anyone else out on unscrupulous behavior. Legitimately that is.

Any "man" who steps in at this point is going to really be a change of pace for the status-quo.

There won't be that ego stroking courtesy of the last occupant for starters.

I would look for a clash of egos right from the get-go which sort of seems to be the case thus far too. IMO

Posted by busybee on Sep. 16 2010,10:47 pm

Some "drama" about someplace other than Albert Lea, MN...

< My Webpage >

Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 18 2010,8:08 pm

The Chamber Maid has the article < City Manager was Broadsided > in the paper and no one even makes a comment in the recycled rodent wrap? :rofl:

Seems I mentioned some time back after the local flip flop flapper first said < Norman should resign or be fired, > and followed up with screaming the < Council rushed yet again. >Then they printed his reply and said < he made ‘small mistake’ and while he sucked up to the paper? > Looks like the town crier has changed his tune.

I hope if it comes down to him suing the city for defamation, he makes sure to name the person who pushed the snowball down the hill. :dunno:

Posted by mncowgirl on Sep. 19 2010,8:06 am

he stated that the city would re-emburse him for moving expenses . dont that mean he aquires the expenses then the city pays him back . instead he was using city money at will then was gonna pay the city back . i guess he just got it backwards ,, minnor slip up :beer:

Posted by ICU812 on Sep. 21 2010,10:07 am

QUOTE

In Afton, employees are reimbursed for city-approved expenses. They are not issued city credit cards.

< My Webpage >

Posted by Liberal on Sep. 27 2010,11:29 pm

QUOTE

City of Albert Lea and James Norman Part Ways

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- City officials and James Norman have decided to mutually part ways.

In a special meeting Monday night, the two agreed to end Norman's contract. Norman will receive 3 months of severance pay as part of that agreement.

Norman was placed on paid leave, as he still faces charges for misusing public funds.

The city will ask for all criminal charges to be dropped as part of this agreement.

Norman released the following statement to the City Council.

"I hearby irrevocably resign my employment as City Manager with the City of Albert Lea effective September 27, 2010.

Please allow me to thank you; the City Council for hiring me in the first place, no matter what the outcome of the issues that lead up to my administrative leave. I think the Council has acted honorably and professionally during this very difficult time.

First let me address a small controversy about the executive search firm. The City did spend money--good money--on a search firm. After controversy erupted over hiring the firm, it turns out that the work the firm did was "spot on." The firm vetted me properly and it found precisely what was detailed by follow-up media investigations. That I am a professional and a good fit for the city. The Council's investment was wise and appropriate!

Second, while you continue to face many challenges, I would urge you, City Council, to continue operating in the honorable and professional manner in which you have already shown you can do."

Best regards,

James E. Norman

< http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S1763994.shtml?cat=10219 >

Posted by Alfy Packer on Sep. 28 2010,8:27 am

All things considered, this is a livable solution to a regrettably bad situation.

Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 28 2010,8:39 am

I don't get it. First the city wants him charged and now they want the charges dropped. Talk about wishy washy. This is a city who's leadership needs to be changed like a dirty diaper.

Posted by Liberal on Sep. 28 2010,2:19 pm

QUOTE

The city is sending a letter to Special Assistant County Attorney Brenda Miller with Waseca County, who filed the criminal charges against Norman, asking that Norman’s criminal charges be dropped.

< http://www.albertleatribune.com/2010...-norman >

Note to self, if in trouble with City Hall just start looking under the rugs and they'll back down.

Posted by scorenix on Sep. 30 2010,10:19 am

(Liberal @ Sep. 28 2010,2:19 pm)

QUOTE

Note to self, if in trouble with City Hall just start looking under the rugs and they'll back down.

That is what is happening here. Notice how quickly the city settled and recommended charges being dropped, when the attorney requested Tiger Hills documents? Tiger Hills documents has nothing to do with Norman's case, but the attorney knows it's the City's Achilles heel.

Notice that Norman has 15 days to rescind the deal. Norman will get what he wants: the dropping of the charges. The city will get what it wants: Tiger Hills safely filed away.

Posted by hymiebravo on Oct. 02 2010,7:47 am

QUOTE

I don't get it. First the city wants him charged and now they want the charges dropped. Talk about wishy washy. This is a city who's leadership needs to be changed like a dirty diaper.

This whole things stinks like a dirty diaper too.

Posted by digger on Nov. 28 2010,6:23 pm

What a crock of sh#t I see Norman has another court date, and the city hasn't stepped up yet and dropped charges like they said they would. I would hope he has some dirt on others to take them down. Just another case of big brother covering up to save there own.

Posted by rascal1101 on Nov. 28 2010,8:26 pm

I am pretty sure there is more than meets the eye in regards to Tiger Hills and R.M. taking a position in Owatonna...and others who have used their credit undesirably. Guess we will just wait for the courts to lay it on the line! NO MERCY!

Posted by MADDOG on Jan. 07 2011,3:57 pm

QUOTE

Norman Faces 5 Additional Charges

ALBERT LEA, MN - A former Albert Lea City Manager now faces 8 charges of theft.

Jim Norman had already been facing two felony charges as well as a gross misdemeanor for allegedly using a city credit card to make personal charges.

After a Friday morning court appearance, Norman now faces five additional felonies.

The charges are being split up for each business he used the credit card at. The prosecuting Waseca County Attorney did note that she could have made each credit card charge a separate count, but that the complaint would have likely been too confusing for a jury.

The presiding judge signed off on it because he believes the separate counts will be easier for a jury to understand.

Norman did have his initial appearance on the 8 charges Friday morning, while he was in the pretrial hearing.

Norman's trial was supposed to start January 11, 2011. The case will not go to trial on Tuesday and a contested omnibus will be set within the next 28 days.

Last September Norman and the city signed a separation agreement with the city asking for the charges to be dropped.

However, the Waseca County Attorney who is prosecuting the case is still seeking a conviction.

Norman was hired as City Manager after Victoria Simonsen left the job, he officially started in May 2010. The former city employee has since moved to Wisconsin. He wants a speedy trial in order to move on with his life.

The city has questions about $2,300 of moving expenses Norman placed on a city credit card between May and July 2010.

< KIMT breaking news >

Posted by Stone-Magnon on Jan. 07 2011,4:36 pm

That's just unbelievable. He gets a new attorney and gets 5 new felony charges?

I knew this was gonna happen. I told you he'd make the biggest mistake of his life switching lawyers. Lawyers are part of the game. They extract large amounts of money then hand you over to the authorities for further raping. They all share in the spoils. The more things illegal, the more lawyers benefit.

Posted by ControlledHyperness on Jan. 07 2011,6:45 pm

I still think there is a bit of grandstanding going on. It seems as if she is trying to prove some kind of point...most likely that they actually follow thru with charging people. I mean, she acknowledges that she recieved the letter, and is not only going thru with it still, she is adding charges. Makes NO sense to me at all!

Posted by Old Cracker on Jan. 07 2011,7:49 pm

Waseca has some "Rough Justice". :deadhorse:

I'm watching my speed a little closer in that town.

Posted by Stone-Magnon on Jan. 07 2011,8:25 pm

New federal prison in Waseca. This is big bidness now for the town. Every hook into a target or prey like Jim is more money into the system that feeds them so well.

Yes, I'd belt up and watch your speed limit anywhere around that city! It's a new world we live in. One that has 20% real unemployment. Mower county has 33,000 residents yet 4500 court cases. 6500 if you count traffic tickets. Get the picture? We've done what Europeans have always done when left to themselves and have turned on each other. Police, jails, prisons and the whole court system depends on prey. Eventually one half the population will jail the other half but the other half will all have jobs. White people turn on each other, it's only natural.

Your next.

It's Brenda Miller the prosecutor in this case. Did you know she filed 10 felony charges against a minister based on the conficting statements of a 15 year old girl about something that was supposed to have happened 2 years prior. The church and the people supported the minister and even collected cash for his defense. In the end the jury found him innocent of all charges. Brenda Miller is one of those young prosecutors who believes it it her duty to convict and then convict some more. She represents the new world order around here. Everybody loves this. The cops, the lawyers, you arseholes. Every other post is about someone getting off to light. YOU WANT this and don't lie because your life is so bad it feels good to see others in worse shape.

Posted by hymiebravo on Jan. 08 2011,3:39 pm

(ControlledHyperness @ Jan. 07 2011,6:45 pm)

QUOTE

Are you talking about the letter to the editor that was published at the paper website?

Posted by hymiebravo on Jan. 08 2011,3:49 pm

What a truly bizarre situation this whole thing is. When you factor in the all of the information surrounding the conduct of the former finance director, and city manager, as well as a select few others involved in local Albert Lea affairs, it is hard to believe that this thing has gotten to this point.

I would think that sufficiently informing the jurors of some the conduct that occurs in Albert lea would be enough to get this thing laughed out of any sane reasonable court.

Plus open up a big payday, for Norman, in the form of suing the city of Albert Lea.

It's a good thing Albert Lea has Paul Sparks to always fall back on to for guidance, though. lol (too sarcastic for the emoticon even)

Posted by hmmmnoidea on Jan. 09 2011,4:54 pm

QUOTE

I would think that sufficiently informing the jurors of some the conduct that occurs in Albert lea would be enough to get this thing laughed out of any sane reasonable court

Get real, how about somebody robs you and someone tells the jury oh it happens all the time dont even think twice about it, let the poor slob get away with it he has learned for his mistake..think they should make a example of him and then go after the the rest

Posted by hymiebravo on Jan. 09 2011,6:35 pm

(hmmmnoidea @ Jan. 09 2011,4:54 pm)

QUOTE

I would think that sufficiently informing the jurors of some the conduct that occurs in Albert lea would be enough to get this thing laughed out of any sane reasonable court

I see what you're trying to say. I would say that this case is significantly different than your scenario though.

Posted by hmmmnoidea on Jan. 10 2011,12:32 am

QUOTE

I see what you're trying to say. I would say that this case is significantly different than your scenario though.

thief is a thief so how is that different

Posted by grassman on Jan. 10 2011,7:05 am

(ControlledHyperness @ Jan. 07 2011,6:45 pm)

QUOTE

Kind of like that Good Sams thingy.

Posted by ControlledHyperness on Jan. 11 2011,3:36 pm

(grassman @ Jan. 10 2011,7:05 am)

QUOTE

(ControlledHyperness @ Jan. 07 2011,6:45 pm)

QUOTE

Kind of like that Good Sams thingy.

Similar, but keep in mind, Nelson is friends with defendants...possibly some relation to the judge as well?? That could have affected some of the outcome. Same with Paul Feilds...and what has (and likely TO) happened with Reid Nelson...who is the brother of the Atty. All of those things in and of themselves should have triggered a move to a different venue at LEAST. However, when the local Sherrif wants to contest his pay, both judges back out of it. Something reeks...but not sure what it is at the moment...

Posted by ControlledHyperness on Jan. 11 2011,3:38 pm

(hymiebravo @ Jan. 08 2011,3:39 pm)

QUOTE

(ControlledHyperness @ Jan. 07 2011,6:45 pm)

QUOTE

Are you talking about the letter to the editor that was published at the paper website?

Nope...this was posted with having read JUST the article. I was unaware there was a letter to the editor with disgust involved.

Posted by MADDOG on Jan. 12 2011,10:57 am

QUOTE

How could city use Brimeyer?

I cannot believe the City of Albert Lea is risking using the search outfit “Brimeyer-Fursman LLC” in the second go-round of finding a new city manager. At best, the city was misled or not provided full information on the candidates considered in 2010. I’ll stay away from using actual legal terms. Perhaps under the direction of James Brimeyer, this firm provided competent service to the city, Freeborn County and other local government entities, but that is no longer the case.

When it became evident the candidates had not been fully vetted and/or adequate information given to the council, I asked the city attorney if we had any recourse against Brimeyer-Fursman. However, I concluded that the cost of any action was not worth recovering the approximate $20,000 fees and expenses we were charged. Even the promise to redo the search at no charge was not enticing to me. I would have preferrred walking away and either doing the search using city staff or perhaps an alternate firm such as Springsted Inc., the firm from which we also had a search proposal. By the timeline proposed in the Jan. 10, 2011, article “Council ups the pay range for city manager,” it looks like little is changing from the 2010 schedule, and that the council will once again be rushed into making a choice. The council should be asking why Brimeyer-Fursman was in such a rush to make a decision.

In a column I wrote for the Tribune on March 18, 2010, I stated my hope was that the council would wait to make a choice, and I repeated that as we reviewed the five interviewed candidates on March 20, 2010. When it was clear that there was no desire to wait, I did vote along with the rest of the council to extend an offer, for the sake of unity. This is one of the decisions I regretted, but I try not to make the same mistake twice.

Mike Murtaugh

former mayor

Albert Lea

< how-could-city-use-brimeyer >

Probably so Vern can save $10K/day.