The trial information also alleges additional counts against some of the defendants for theft, felonious misconduct in office, non-felonious conduct in office, tampering with records, assault with a dangerous weapon, and falsifying public documents, as committed by one or more of the defendants. Three of the defendants were arrested by the Emmet COunty Sheriff’s Office on Friday, Feb. 12th, with assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

The charges stem from a multi-year investigation led by the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Iowa DCI, following a special investigation by the Auditor of State’s Office. The investigation uncovered wrongdoing committed by the defendants, including but not limited to: Misappropriation of funds; the presentation of fraudulent public records; deploying a TASER against a civilian in exchange for cash, and falsification of ledgers to conceal embezzlement.

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the cases at the request of the local county attorney, due to a potential conflict of interest, and one or more additional arrests that are pending.