The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-08-17
BRANDS HAzEN BILL FRAUD
Replying to Mandmu Proceedings Against Peterson and George County ATTORNEY
Torrance Riddles Sherfs Demand and Declares that More Than $50
Out Of $752 is Fraudulent


Once again Alvin B. Hazen, sheriff
of Beltrami county, stands accused
of fraud.
Before Judge C. w. Stanton here
this afternoon, County Attorney Ora
ham M. Torrance, acting for Viggo
Peterson, chairman of the board of
county commissioners. and County
Auditor James L. George, declared
Hazen has been guilty of many il
legal acts and that in the bill of
$752.70 which he now seeks to col
lect on mandamus proceedings, more
than $3.50 of the charges are false.
Dissects the Hazen Bill.
In merciless arraignment of the
sheriff, the county attorney dissects
the above bill which was held up by
Mr.. Peterson and Mr.. George, and
declares that Hazen owes the county
large sums, rather than it owing
HaZen.
Mr.. George, in his response filed
by Mr.. Torrance, makes the direct as
sertion, that fees have been charged
by the sheriff for bringing persons
into court during the terms of 1909,
1910 and 1911. 1t is commended that
such charges were illegal and can be
rna0x1o~n1 hxy thu rfxY
Contends it Has No Standing.
Replies filed by the county attor-
ney recite that Hazen had previous
ly presented a bill including items
for subpoenas served by mail. This
is one of the charges on which Viggo
Peterson sought to have the governor
remove the sheriff. 1t is shown that
these charges were stricken out and
that although the board of county
commissioners passed this bill it has
no legal standing.
By agreement response to the writ
of agreement was made today, instead
of tomorrow as originally scheduled.
Mr.. Torrance response for Mr.. Pc
terson follows:
Here is the Searchlight.
To the Honorable District Court in
and for the County of Beltrami:
Now comes the respondent, Viggo
Peterson, as chairman of the Board
of County Commissioners of Beltrami
county, Minnesota, and by way of
answer and return to the alternative
writ of mandamus issued by this
Court on the 9Th day of August, 1911,
respectfully shows to the Court that
he has not complied with the order
of this Court to sign and has not
Hazen, as such sheriff, for the sum of
$752.40, but on the contrary thereof
respectfully shows to this Court why
he has not done so.
This respondent alleges and shows
to this Court that on the 5th day of
April, 1911, bill was presented to
the Board of County Commissioners
of said Beltrami county by said re-
later, as such sheriff, for the sum of
$784.70, and which said bill COM
prised items of charges for pretended
services rendered by said relator, as
such sheriff, for said Beltrami coun~
ty, and included the same items set
forth in said Exhibit "a" attached
to the petition herein.
Shows Up Old Bill.
Also other false and fraudulent
items for alleged services in sub
poenaing Grand and Petit Jurors
for the February, 1911, term of
this court, and that said bill,
first above described, was so present.
ed to said county board for allowance
by the said Alvin B. Hazen with full
knowledge and notice that the same
contained false and fraudulent items
of charges for services which had
not been performed by him for said
county, and also that the same con-
tanned items of charges for which
there was and is no warrant in law.
That thereupon said bill was
marked 20. k by the then county
attorney of said county, and that
thereupon the same was duly audit
ed and allowed by said county board
at the said sum of $784.70, and that
thereafter, anu D6IOf6 Tie warrant IN
payment therefor had been presented
to respondent for his signature this
respondent discovered that said bill
was false and fraudulent and con-
tanned items of charges for which
no service had been rendered by said
sheriff, and thereupon this respond
ent refused to sign a warrant there
for
Time to Appeal Expires.
That the time to appeal from the
allowance of said original bill of
$784.70 has expired, and that no
appeal has been taken therefrom.
That after the time to appeal from
the allowance of said original bill of
$7S4.70 had expired, the said Hazen
caused a new bill to be nresented to