N.D. Supreme court reinstates WSI chief's criminal charges.

BISMARCK--The state Supreme Court today reinstated felony criminal charges against former workers’ compensation chief Charles “Sandy” Blunt.

The court reversed a Bismarck district judge who dismissed the case following a preliminary hearing last August.

Blunt had been charged with misapplication of entrusted property related to expenditures he authorized for Workforce Safety and Insurance employee gifts, refreshments, trinkets and bonuses, which could carry penalties of up to $15,000 and 15 years in jail.

South Central District Judge Robert Wefald had said in his decision that prosecutors had failed to show a loss to the state from Blunt's actions and that Blunt was acting with the approval of the WSI board.

“We conclude the district court erred in dismissing the criminal complaint against Blunt, and we reverse and remand for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion,” the court said.

Blunt resigned under fire from the agency Dec. 6.

See the opinion at www.ndcourts.com/court/opinions/20070247.htm

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