Chronology in North Dakota Workers Comp Director Felony Case

A timeline of events in the felony case against former North Dakota workers compensation director Sandy Blunt:

April 2004 Charles “Sandy” Blunt, a former Ohio workers compensation administrator, is hired as the new chief executive officer of North Dakota’s Workforce Safety and Insurance agency.

October 2006 A state audit highlights what auditors say are questionable WSI spending on gift certificates, meals and trinkets for state legislators and employees, and bonuses for agency executives.

April 2007 The Burleigh County state’s attorney, Richard Riha, files three felony charges against Blunt. Two accuse him of misspending agency funds. WSI’s board of directors votes to put Blunt on paid leave.

August 2007 South Central District Judge Robert Wefald dismisses the charges against Blunt, saying prosecutors did not show Blunt benefited from the alleged spending. Prosecutors appeal to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Oct. 19, 2007 Prosecutors drop a separate charge against Blunt for conspiring to disclose confidential information, saying he may have relied on mistaken legal advice.

Oct. 22, 2007 Blunt returns to work. WSI’s chief of support services, its personnel manager, its internal auditor and a fraud investigator ask for protection against retaliation on the job. All four are eventually fired.

Dec. 6, 2007 WSI’s board of directors dismisses Blunt after aides to Gov. John Hoeven tell the board’s chairman, Robert Indvik, that the governor wants Blunt ousted.

June 30, 2008 North Dakota’s Supreme Court reinstates the two felony charges that Wefald had dismissed against Blunt.

Aug. 25, 2008 Blunt pleads not guilty to two charges of misapplication of entrusted property. One of the charges accuses Blunt of misspending more than $10,000, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The second alleges he misspent more than $5,000, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Dec. 15, 2008 Blunt’s trial begins.

Dec. 19, 2008 After almost nine hours of deliberations over two days, jurors convict Blunt of the more serious of the two felony charges. He is acquitted on the second. Blunt’s attorney says his client will appeal the conviction.