Trial of North Dakota’s Former Workers’ Comp Director Wrapping Up

Attorneys are preparing their final arguments in the felony trial of former North Dakota workers’ compensation director Sandy Blunt.

Prosecutors finished presenting their case with testimony from the top attorney at the Workforce Safety and Insurance agency. Jodi Bjornson said Blunt sometimes was not receptive to her legal advice.

Blunt is accused of misspending about $50,000 in WSI money when he was director of the agency from April 2004 through December 2007. His attorneys have said Blunt’s actions were approved by the WSI board.

He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the most serious of the two charges.

Closing arguments are set for 12:30 p.m. Testimony began on Monday, Dec. 22..

In the meantime North Dakota Governor John Hoeven has till the end of the year to appoint 11 new members on the workers’ compensation’ board
of directors. Nine names have been submitted to him for consideration.