Were details prematurely released?

Local News

Oops! Don’t print that?

Either Blue Earth officials provided information to one newsprint outlet and not another or a local newspaper has jumped the gun.

According to an article in this week’s publication, police officer Chad Bonin was terminated effective Feb. 13 and details of monetary compensation to be paid by the city was also reported.

On Friday, City Administrator Tim Ibisch gave Tripleanews.com a different version.

Ibisch says that a separation agreement of employment OK’d by the council still needs to be approved by Bonin and his attorney.

“Once it is finalized, those details can be made public,” says Ibisch.“I will forward you a copy of the agreement once it is fully authorized.’

The city administrator says Bonin accepting the separation agreement would mean that investigation findings of a complaint filed against him last November would remain confidential.

However, if Bonin was indeed fired, under state law information found in a 42-page investigation report can be made public.

Last December, the City Council hired the Twin Cities area law firm of Everett & VanderWiel to look into alleged misconduct by Bonin.


Under the contract, two attorneys from the law firm were paid $200 an hour in addition to any legal assistant and paralegal services each at a rate of $100 an hour.


The city also paid for mileage, travel, expert fees, courier fees and out-of-pocket expenses.


Bonin has been with the police department since March 12, 2012, and was currently earning an annual salary of $60,765,


This isn’t the first time Bonin has faced a complaint involving alleged misconduct allegations.


In 2014, he was accused of four counts of police officer misconduct, however, an investigation substantiated just two of the charges. As a result, he served three days of suspension without pay.

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