LINCOLN, Neb. — The fourth defendant in a federal fraud case involving a former Omaha city councilman and two former Omaha police officers will serve prison time. KETV in Omaha reports 67-year-old Jack Olson, of Council Bluffs, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion in August, was sentenced to 33 months in prison. He received credit for 20 months served. Olson will also serve three months probation after his sentence. Under his plea agreement, Olson agreed to pay about $27,111 in restitution to the Latino Peace Officers Association, $95,475 to the U.S. Department of Treasury. He also agreed to pay up to $30,883 in restitution to individual donors, though the exact amount is one of few parts of the agreement that would be subject to appeal if the deal is accepted. Olson admitted to defrauding the LPOA, but specifically did not admit to defrauding the donors.

Former Omaha city council-member Vinny Palermo, retired Omaha police officer Johnny Palermo, and former Omaha police captain Rich Gonzalez were also convicted and sentenced in the scheme. Olson, also known as “Cody Jones,” was brought in as a fundraiser for the LPOA. According to court documents, Gonzalez “conducted financial transactions for the charity and caused payments to himself, Palermo, and Jack Olson … along with others without disclosing payment to donors or the LPOA board.”

Court documents allege Olson kept between 65-80% of donations to the LPOA and “removed more than half a million dollars from contributions given to LPOA between Jan. 1, 2018 and Dec. 31, 2022.”

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s Electoral College votes were cast this (Tuesday) morning at the Iowa Capitol and Governor Kim Reynolds announced the results.

Leanne Pellett of Atlantic — co-chair of Cass County Republicans — is among the six Electors who cast their ballots for Donald Trump and J-D Vance.

Pellett says the Electoral College itself is critical to ensuring small states like Iowa have a say in the presidential race or a candidate could win the popular vote by merely by campaigning in large states.

Elector Jack Vanderflught of Osceola is a government and history teacher. “This process is a unique one in the world and I get a chance to participate in that today and I’m very excited about that,” he says, “and to be able to not only represent the people, but to be able to share this experience with my students and maybe encourage them to be involved in the future.” Each Elector signed a document that is being forwarded to congress for the Electoral College count that happens in January. Justin Wasson of Cedar Rapids says it was an honor to cast his vote and complete the paperwork. “I didn’t sign it like I do with my credit card, which is a bunch of squiggles,” Wasson says. “This was a pretty good signature.”

Governor Kim Reynolds and Secretary of State Paul Pate posed for photos with Iowa’s six Electors. (RI photo) (Leanne Pellett is shown 3rd from the right)

Merle Miller says this was the first time he’s been involved in Marshall County politics. “I’ve got to say it’s very exciting,” Miles said. “I’ve been waiting and anticipating this moment, to get President Trump back into office.”Steve Scheffler is the long-time president of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition and he’s the Republican National Committeeman for Iowa. Scheffler says after 54 years of being involved in G-O-P politics, this is the first time he’s been an Elector. “I love Donald Trump and I thought, ‘Well, I’m not getting any younger, so I’d love to do it,'” Scheffler said.

Garrison Oppman was the sixth Elector, representing Iowa’s fourth congressional district.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna reports the Montgomery County Compensation Board is slated to meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18th, at the Montgomery County EMA Building (1906 N. Broadway, in Red Oak). Their agenda is as follows:

1. Call to order

2. Elect Secretary and Chairperson

3. Discuss SF 2442 changes with action as necessary

4. Approve minutes of December 2023 Compensation Board Meeting

5. Overall discussion with elected officials regarding FY 2026 compensation

6. Make a recommendation of salary schedule for FY 2026 of elected officials

7. Set the date, time, and location for FY27 Compensation Board meeting

8. Call for adjournment

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors could be in attendance at the meeting therefore causing a quorum of Supervisors.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – There’s a new sheriff in town…well, actually he’s a familiar face. John Westering was sworn-in this (Tuesday) morning as Cass County Sheriff, during a meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors. Westering – who served for many years as the Chief Deputy Sheriff – was unopposed in his bid for Cass County Sheriff, during the November 5th General Election. Former Sheriff, Darby McLaren announced in January, 2024, that he would not be seeking re-election, after 28-years serving the County as a Deputy, and his final position as Sheriff. McLaren said he was leaving the office “In very capable hands.” McLaren said Westering’s “experience and integrity” made him a perfect fit for the position.

Board Vice-Chair/District 2 Supervisor Mark O’Brien administered the Oath of Office to Westering, Cass County Auditor Kathy Somers, District 1 Supervisor Steve Green, District 5 Supervisor Bernard Pettinger (who joined the meeting via the phone), and District 4 Supervisor/Board Chair, Steve Baier. In other business, the Board passed the third reading of an Ordinance pertaining to an EMS Local Option Income Surtax. The Board approved a Cass County Wellness Program for County employees, that also designates participating and non-participation rates for Jan. 1, 2025 through Oct. 31, 2025. The differential rate amounts to five-percent.

They approved a Class-B Retail Alcohol license for the Griswold Dollar General Store, and they tentatively approved allocating the balance of ARPA funds for training new EMT’s and Paramedics. Supervisor Steve Green….

Green said we can’t afford to lose any EMT’s or Paramedics.

Cass County BOS mtg 12-17-24

The Cass County Supervisors tentatively approved plans to appropriate the remaining ARPA funds. And, they passed an annual resolution setting the posted weight limits on embargoed bridges. Along that same line, the Board approved a County Safety Action Plan that supports strategies outlined in Iowa’s Five-Year Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) 2024-2028, as well as the overall vision of Zero Fatalities on Iowa’s public roads.

The Board received a short, regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, and they acted on approving courthouse hours for Christmas Eve: The Secondary Roads Department will close at 11-a.m. (unless it is snowing), and the Courthouse will close at Noon.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Representatives with a community service organization in Red Oak that has been in existence for nearly 130 years, has announced they are disbanding. The news came during today’s (Tuesday’s) meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. A “Monday Club of Red Oak” spokesperson Connie Sampers explained why the club that was established in 1895, has now disbanded.

Monday Club of Red Oak members (Front row): Lois Pratt, Sandy Reich, Vici Giltner and Connie Sampers; (Back row): Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna, Board Chair Mike Olson, Supervisor Donna Robinson, Supervisor Charla Schmid, Supervisor Randy Cooper (Photo courtesy of Nick Johansen/The Red Oak Express)

One of their “Pet projects,” she said was the courthouse clock.

The club began with women who wanted to keep up with the their knowledge of the world. Their motto was “The Promotion of the Social and Intellectual Advancement of Women.”