By Lori Ehde
The Rock County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to terminate the employment of John Burgers as director of the county's Land Management Office.
According to a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Burgers' employment was terminated "without good standing" effective Dec. 26.
The board's action stemmed from Burgers' Dec. 19 guilty plea in U.S. District Court to one count of mail fraud.
In a signed plea agreement submitted to the court, Burgers admitted that he abused a position of public trust with Rock County and deprived the citizens of the county the right to his honest services.
He admitted to doing so through a scheme whereby he obtained loans and funds in connection with the hog production facility, Global Ventures Inc., in exchange for preferential treatment to the facility.
Burgers admitted in court that in March 1996 he learned that debris and waste were being dumped at a hog production facility owned by Global Ventures Inc.
Instead of notifying the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Burgers contacted a senior officer of GVI and advised him to take care of the problem before he contacted state officials.
A few months later, in June 1996, Burgers approached the same GVI officer and informed him he (Burgers) was in deep financial trouble and needed money.
"I heard rumors the bank and Global Ventures were involved in suspicious money transactions. I knew Dave Logan would see me as something of value and that he would know that I could make it tough or make it easy on Global Ventures," Burgers said in a written statement Sept. 18.
"I expected for that reason Logan could help me get loans at Pipestone Bank," Burgers wrote. "Dave Logan used me as his heads-up guy to tell him of potential problems."
Per the plea agreement, the court has dropped the more serious bribery charge.
Burgers faces a sentencing guideline range between six to 12 months and 24 to 30 months. His fine range is from $3,000 to $50,000. A sentencing date is expected in eight to 10 weeks.
After meeting in closed session Wednesday with legal counsel, commissioners made the decision on a 5-0 vote.
The county will not seek restitution for months Burgers was on paid administrative leave since he was indicted Sept. 20.