A North Dakota judge on Thursday sentenced a state lawmaker to 250 hours of community service and a $2,500 fine after a jury convicted him of a misdemeanor in connection with a controversial state-rented building he owns. ordered to pay.
State District Judge Bobby Weiler also ordered Republican Rep. Jason Dockter of Bismarck to pay $325 in court costs, be fingerprinted and serve 360 days of unsupervised probation. She also gave him probation. This means that if he does not violate his probation, the conviction will be removed from his record.
A jury found Dockter guilty on May 3 of speculating or betting on official actions. A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 360 days in jail or a $3,000 fine. Dockter was indicted in December 2023 following a complaint to the state Ethics Commission. He pleaded not guilty.
Juror convicts North Dakota lawmaker of misdemeanor speculation
Mr. Dockter, 50, owns the building that the late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem leased in 2020 and is part owner of a company working on the building. The two were friends, but Mr Dockter denies any wrongdoing in the lease. The building came under scrutiny when Mr. Stenehjem’s successor, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, revealed that construction costs under Mr. Stenehjem had exceeded costs by more than $1 million. The overrun came as an unpleasant surprise to state lawmakers and raised concerns about trust and transparency.
As a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, Dockter allegedly voted for “a bill appropriating financial interest to pay for acquired property,” in violation of state law and legislative rules, according to the criminal complaint.
North Dakota Republican Rep. Jason Dockter (left) and attorney Lloyd Shurr at the Burley County Courthouse in Bismarck, North Dakota, after Dockter was sentenced to serve 250 hours in prison on Thursday, May 9, 2024. meet other people on the stairs. He did community service and paid a $2,500 fine after a jury found him guilty of misdemeanor charges related to a controversial state-rented building in which he has an ownership interest. ((AP Photo/Jacques Duras)
Prosecutor Ladd Erickson had recommended a one-year deferred sentence with $325 in court costs and fingerprinting. He also said in court documents that the Ethics Commission “is the appropriate body to impose additional penalties beyond” the sentence he had recommended. Erickson wrote that the ethics commission’s investigation was paused due to Dockter’s accusations, but could resume after sentencing.
Defense attorney Lloyd Sarr agreed with Erickson’s recommendation, citing Dockter’s lack of criminal history and family and community ties that he deserves to be treated like any other first-time misdemeanor offender. Then he said.
Doctor declined to comment on the verdict. The judge chastised him for that.
“I wanted to ask you something because I see North Dakota residents as being victims and being taken advantage of, and I haven’t heard an apology from you to them. . I was disappointed in that,” Weiler said.
The judge said “we don’t know how directly and uniquely this would be” with respect to the lease situation, and that lawmakers “directly and individually” have no personal or private interest in the legislation that affects them. He cited House rules that require disclosure of information. independently and substantively” and cannot be voted on without the consent of the House of Commons.
“My biggest concern is that it doesn’t seem substantive,” Weiler said.
She granted a deferral to the levy, but added conditions for community service time and fines based on the $250,000 “earned from North Dakotans” in a two-year budget vote last year.
“We were trying to find a way to help you understand so something like this never happens again,” Weiler said.
The judge said Dockter must complete community service with the homeless community within six months, or about 10 hours a week.
“Maybe you can see how life is on the other side, Mr. Dockter,” said Mr. Wyler.
“Do you have any questions?” Dockter asked the judge. “I’ll take whatever you give me.” Afterward, he met with his loved ones on the courthouse steps.
Suhr said the judge was “within his discretion and generally accepted the recommendations of the parties” regarding sentencing.
Republican House Majority Leader Mike LeFore said he disagreed with the jury’s verdict and would review the relevant statutes and regulations.
On Wednesday, Lefort wrote a letter to Republican Rep. Emily O’Brien, chair of the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, asking the committee to review legislative rules, ethics rules, state law provisions, and constitutional provisions regarding finance. I will instruct you to do so.” Potential conflicts of interest by public officials. ”
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Democratic House Minority Leader Zach Ista called on Dockter to resign after the verdict. Doctor said he has not yet decided whether to appeal or resign.
“It’s so refreshing right now,” he said.
