Trial Starts For Former North Dakota Work Comp Director By Pauline Grant - December 15, 2008
Sandy Blunt, the former workers' compensation director of the state of North Dakota, is on trial for allegedly running the agency like a private company and misspending funds.
The agency, called Workforce Safety and Insurance, was headed by Mr. Blunt for more than 3 years.
The prosecutor, Lloyd Suhr, told the jurors that Blunt illegally gave bonuses to agency workers and gift certificates to employees. He said he paid sick leave to a former Workforce Safety and Insurance executive who was not sick but was planning to resign.
Suhr also stated that Blunt authorized a grant of up to $150,000 to the North Dakota Firefighters Association without requireing the group to compete for the money.
But, Blunt's attorney, Mike Hoffman, said WSI's board of directors approved of what Blunt was doing. He stated the alleged bonuses were retroactive pay increases. He said the firefighters filled out papers for the grant. He also alleged the sick leve was approved by another executive.
Adjuster / Examiner Claims Examiner Santa Ana Unified School District Santa Ana, CA