Ruppert’s request turned down

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WORTHINGTON — On a 4-1 vote Tuesday, Nobles County commissioners denied a request from former county administrator Mel Ruppert for reimbursement of $26,117.35 in attorney fees that accumulated from October 2011 through March 2012.

Ruppert had submitted the reimbursement with his expense report to an administrative secretary on April 2, requesting the payment be included with his payroll check on April 6. The attorney fees were the result of an internal complaint made against Ruppert in September 2011. That investigation closed in February.

A resolution signed by board chairman David Benson Tuesday states Ruppert submitted the request “in a manner contrary to established practices to submit the invoices to the County Deputy Administrator” for presentation to the county board for consideration and payment.

Further, the resolution states Ruppert’s use of the Minneapolis-based law firm Engelmeier and Umanah, PA. does not relate to “any criminal or civil proceedings, nor was any claim for damages, defense and/or indemnification made against Melvin Ruppert or by Melvin Ruppert during the time for which he seeks reimbursement.”

Denial of Ruppert’s request for reimbursement also cited that the county board never “entertained, passed a motion, nor entered into an agreement to retain the law firm of Engelmeier & Umanah, PA. Rather, the law firm … was apparently retained by Melvin Ruppert personally and the invoices issued by the Engelmeier & Umanah, PA. law firm were addressed to the personal address of Melvin Ruppert.”

The resolution states no member of the county, other than Ruppert, solicited or received advice from Engelmeier & Umanah. It also points out Minnesota law provides that expenditures of public funds should be for a public purpose.

The resolution was submitted to the county by outside legal counsel Jessica Schwie of Jardine, Logan and O’Brien P.L.L.P., of Lake Elmo.

After examining the expense report, Commissioner Marv Zylstra presented a motion to deny the claim. He said the law firm was hired by Ruppert as his personal attorney.

“He could have requested payment of legal fees before he accrued them,” Zylstra added.

“I have a problem spending public funds when it wasn’t spent for public purposes,” added Commissioner Bob Demuth Jr.

Commissioner Diane Thier, who was the only board member to vote in opposition of the motion, said not reimbursing Ruppert for the attorney fees was “not right.”

“There was no discrimination — there was no harassment,” she said. “This is a man we all gave admirable … evaluations. Now we do this, we kick him in the head and say we won’t pay his legal fees. I think it’s terrible.”

Daily Globe Reporter Julie Buntjer may be reached at 376-7330.

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