Powder River Examiner -

Thursday, May 25, 1989

Sheriff suspended: official misconduct charges filed

Powder River County Sheriff Don Pertuit was suspended without pay by court order Thursday, pending the outcome of charges of official misconduct.

Montana Assistant Attorney General Matthew Heffron filed an affidavit in the District Court of Judge Kenneth Wilson here Thursday morning, alleging that Pertuit bought gas on at least seven occasions for official travel on a Powder River County credit card, and then submitted expense vouchers for personal mileage for that gasoline.

The alleged offenses occurred between June 18, 1988, and February 6, 1989. Around $1006 was allegedly illegally obtained from city, county and state governments by submitting the false reimbursement claims, according to the affidavit.

Pertuit, a popular law enforcement officer who has served as sheriff of Powder River County for the past seven years, remained hopeful that “something can be worked out.” Many residents have showed support for Pertuit through telephone calls or personal visits. “I just hope the people of the county will continue that support,” he said.

Pertuit is expected to enter a plea on the charge in District Court here on June 7.

According to the official misconduct statute in the Montana codes, if found guilty Pertuit could face a fine, permanent forfeiture of office, and possible jail time. If acquitted, he will be reinstated to his office and will receive all backpay.

As an example of the offenses, Heffron’s affidavit alleges that “On or about June 13, funds were deposited in the defendant’s account of the Town of Broadus, received by the defendant in payment of a claim he had submitted to the Town of Broadus for reimbursement for the use of his personal vehicle allegedly in pursuit of municipal business in travelling to a meeting in Helena conducted on or about the dates of June 15-19, 1988.

Yet on June 18, 1988, a credit card invoice, listing a Powder River County credit card issued to the defendant, was signed with the defendant’s signature for a purchase of gasoline in Butte. The vehicle license number listed on the invoice was 9-52, the license number of the county vehicle assigned to the defendant.

Other such incidents according to court records, allegedly occurred again twice on August 31, 1988, on October 20-24, 1988, on October 26, 1988, on December 13, 1988 and the last time, on February 6, 1989.

Powder River County Commissioners have meanwhile appointed Undersheriff Ken Rogge as acting sheriff during the proceedings.

Sports awards presented

Girls Basketball: Lody Mader, Most Valuable Player; Tammy Giacometto, Best Defensive Player; Christy Himelspach, Most Inspirational Player; and Janey Earley and Lauri Morella, Most Improved Players.

Boys Basketball: Frank Perry and Shawn Samuelson, Most Valuable Players; Chad Harrington, Mr. Hustle and Jim McGill, Best Defensive Player.

Football: Frank Perry, Most Valuable Player; Ron Richards, Best Back; Andy Cathey, Best Lineman; Leon Olson, Mr. Hustle and Bill Isaacs, Best Defensive Player.

Wrestling: Nick Vernon, Most Inspirational and BAGUBA Award; and Andy Cathey, Most Pins and Takedowns.

Volleyball: Vicki Lloyd-Stout, Most Valuable; Lody Mader, Most Inspirational and Christy Himelspach, Most Improved.

Three Sport Awards went to Ron Richards, Shawn Samuelson and Lauri Morella.

New junior high track records set

Seven local school junior high track records were either broke or tied this past season by four athletes, according to coach Jerry Coulter.

Lanessa Stradtman broke the long and high jump records with respective marks of 14 feet, four inches and four feet, six inches. Josh Richards set the new shot put record with a distance of 29 feet, two inches, and the new discus record with a distance of 117 feet. Andrea Borla broke the record in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 17.7 seconds, and tied the 200-meter record with a time of 29.3 seconds. Chelsea Davis broke the shot put record with a distance of 27 feet, nine inches.