When will the legal fees end? The Faribault County commissioners don’t know.
In fact, they have no idea how much has been spent so far on cases related to the assault of a former Blue Earth Area (BEA) football player.
“It has been two years that this has been going on. It’s really dragging on,” says County Board chairman Bill Groskreutz.
When four teens were charged in the October 2017 beating of a teammate, County Attorney Kathryn Karjala-Curtis hired former assistant County Attorney LaMar Piper to prosecute the cases.
Based on Groskreutz’s calculations, although unofficial, he estimates that Piper has been paid around $30,000 by the end of last year.
“I don’t believe the county attorney has ever been asked that question, how much has Piper received,” Groskreutz says.
A person familiar with the situation and who wished to remain anonymous tells Tripleanews.com that the amount spent could be more than $60,000.
Darren Esser, county auditor/treasurer/coordinator, has yet to respond to a request for information.,
Legal costs for the time being will continue to mount as two cases continue to make their way through the court system.
In one case, Judge Troy Timmerman will decide whether perjury charges are dismissed and a restitution hearing for the Hurleys has been scheduled for Aug. 28 in Martin County District Court.
They are seeking financial damages from co-defendant Wyatt Tungland and the case will be heard by Judge Michael Trushenski.
Piper, who is being paid an hourly wage, also is reviewing investigation reports and transcripts surrounding the assault at the request of Chief Deputy Scott Adams.
Adams contacted the County Attorney’s Office after learning that a jailer’s name reportedly has been mentioned in court documents.