Timmerman to review, release results

Local News

At the request of Tripleanews.com, Faribault County’s chief prosecutor will decide what investigation results to release involving a former Veterans Services Office (VSO) employee.

But, it’s not clear how much information will actually be unveiled.

“I will obtain the materials and review to determine what information is private, public or confidential,” says County Attorney Troy Timmerman. “I will provide you with the public material.”

County commissioners agreed to hire Soldo Consulting, P.C., of Woodbury and look into a complaint filed against VSO officer David Hanson.

Information as to the nature of the complaint, when and who filed it has never been made public.

Timmerman says he expects to receive material for Soldo Consulting later this week.

“I don’t know how long it will take to review, because I do not know how much material there will be,” he says.

The county had paid the Soldo Consulting $6,334 when the investigation was halted due to Hanson’s resignation and a separation agreement that paid him more than $36,000.

Timmerman in the past has implied that because Hanson resigned, any partial findings do not have to be made public.

However, a portion of the state’s Data Practices law brought to Timmerman’s attention says differently.

Under the law, “If a public official resigns or is terminated from employment while the complaint or charge is pending, all data relating to the complaint or charge are public, unless access to the data would jeopardize an active investigation or reveal confidential sources.”

Also, a public official in a county with a population of more than 5,000 is defined as managers, chiefs, heads or directors of departments, divisions, bureaus, or boards, and any equivalent positions.

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