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| Lansing has no comment on charges |
By: SUZANNE ROOK, Senior Reporter
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Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 2:34 pm
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UPDATE 6 p.m. Thursday
NORTHFIELD — Mayor Lee Lansing, who said he’d have a complete statement Thursday regarding charges filed against him, now says his attorney has advised him not to comment.
Lansing, according to a criminal complaint filed against him Wednesday, plotted for years to get a municipal liquor store located on property he owned, then berated and threatened city employees to that end almost from the moment he took office.
The charges stem from a 16-month-long investigation by Goodhue County initially begun by former Northfield Police Chief Gary Smith. Smith’s attorney last year said the review was of Smith’s then boss, former city administrator Al Roder.
Read a copy of the complaint by clicking here.
Here's a list of the individuals/businesses noted in the complaint, according to Goodhue County investigator Glen Barringer:
-Joseph "Lee" Lansing
-David Lansing, son of Lee Lansing
-Paul Norby, Home Source Mortgage, friend of Lansing, and owner of property located at 107 Sixth St. W.
-Lansing Hardware
-Lansing Family Trust
-Lansing Enterprises
-DHJJ Corp., owned by David Lansing, allegedly acquired assets of Lansing Enterprises
-New Division Development Corp., formed by developers Randy Lutz and Beth Closner to develop 618 Division St.
-Tires Plus property, 600 S. Division St.
-MSB Tires, lessee of Tires Plus property
-William Clifford, previous owner of 600 S. Division St.
-Albert W. Roder, former city administrator
-Bill Bassett, from interim city administrator
-Susan Hoyt, former city administrator
-Maren Swanson, city attorney and partner at Lampe, Swanson, Morisette, Heisler & Arnold
-Lance Heisler, civil attorney for Lee Lansing, partner at Lampe, Swanson, Morisette, Heisler & Arnold
-Kurt Fischer, authored the conflict of interest letter regarding Lee Lansing at the liquor store issue at Maren Swanson's request
-John Donnelly, Frauenshuh consultant hired by city council to represent the city in negotiations with David Lansing, Paul Norby and in consultation with the Northfield Construction Company
-Ray Cox, Northfield Construction Company |
The review quickly focused on Lansing after city councilors in July 2007 became aware of several memos from Lansing to Roder, which they believed could show the mayor acted unethically.
The charges filed Wednesday allege Lansing held a financial interest that he did not disclose, in property at 600 Division St., which the city was considering for a new liquor store. It also contends that Lansing accepted loans from his son’s former business partner, Paul Norby.
According to the complaint, Lansing pushed Roder to put former business partners out of a building they owned, reduce city fees, encourage the city council to ensure a new city liquor store would be sited on property he claimed was his son’s, and withhold from the city council a financial report analyzing potential liquor store sites.
A fifth misconduct charge alleges Lansing, as mayor, wrote a letter on Roder’s behalf to his mortgage company giving incorrect information about the former administrator’s signing bonus and moving allowance.
Roder, now employed as a city administrator in Norfolk, Neb., said Wednesday night he was only recently made aware of Lansing’s letter.
Lansing was elected in November 2004. He and Roder were on friendly terms until March 2007. It was then that Lansing asked him to resign because Roder wouldn’t help ensure a new city liquor store would be sited on the 600 Division Street property.
By July of that year, Roder had gone to several city councilors with memos to him from Lansing, which council members were concerned showed unethical behavior by Lansing.
The council at first voted to ask the state auditor’s office to review a list of concerns put forth by the council, but after that office said the topics were out of its purview, the council hired an independent investigator, William Everett.
In a December 2007 report, Everett said Lansing unethically pushed for business and family interests, adding that he didn’t look into certain issues because Goodhue investigators asked him not to. Everett wouldn’t elaborate on what those issues were.
Even after the report was complete, Everett continued to work with Goodhue investigators on their inquiry.
Goodhue County Attorney Steve Betcher said the investigation into related allegations is continuing. In a press release, Betcher said he believes that by making the charges filed today public, additional information may be forthcoming from witnesses.
Roder, who had little comment on the charges, said he hopes the city can now move forward. “It’s all very sad and unfortunate.”
Betcher said his office will prosecute the case. Lansing’s first appearance in court is set for Nov. 19 in Faribault.
— Suzanne Rook can be reached at srook@northfieldnews.com or 645-1113.
UPDATE 6:30 Wednesday
NORTHFIELD — Mayor Lee Lansing plotted for years to get a municipal liquor store located on property he owned, then berated and threatened city employees to that end almost from the moment he took office, according to a criminal complaint filed against him Wednesday.
Lansing, 62, was charged with five counts of misconduct of a public official and two counts of conflict of interest of a public official in Rice County District Court.
The mayor had no comment on the charges, saying he’d have a complete statement on Thursday.
The charges stem from a 16-month-long investigation by Goodhue County initially begun by former Northfield Police Chief Gary Smith.
Smith’s attorney last year said the review was of Smith’s then boss, former city administrator Al Roder.
The review quickly focused on Lansing after city councilors in July 2007 became aware of several memos from Lansing to Roder, which they believed could show the mayor acted unethically.
The charges filed Wednesday allege Lansing held a financial interest that he did not disclose, in property at 600 Division St., which the city was considering for a new liquor store. It also contends that Lansing accepted loans from his son’s former business partner, Paul Norby.
According to the complaint, Lansing pushed Roder to put former business partners out of a building they owned, reduce city fees, encourage the city council to ensure a new city liquor store would be sited on property he claimed was his son’s, and withhold from the city council a financial report analyzing potential liquor store sites.
A fifth misconduct charge alleges Lansing, as mayor, wrote a letter on Roder’s behalf to his mortgage company giving incorrect information about the former administrator’s signing bonus and moving allowance.
Roder, now employed as a city administrator in Norfolk, Neb., said Wednesday night he was only recently made aware of Lansing’s letter.
Lansing was elected in November 2004. He and Roder were on friendly terms until March 2007. It was then that Lansing asked him to resign because Roder wouldn’t help ensure a new city liquor store would be sited on the 600 Division Street property.
By July of that year, Roder had gone to several city councilors with memos to him from Lansing, which council members were concerned showed unethical behavior by Lansing. The council at first voted to ask the state auditor’s office to review a list of concerns put forth by the council, but after that office said the topics were out of its purview, the council hired an independent investigator, William Everett.
In a December 2007 report, Everett said Lansing unethically pushed for business and family interests, adding that he didn’t look into certain issues because Goodhue investigators asked him not to. Everett wouldn’t elaborate on what those issues were.
Even after the report was complete, Everett continued to work with Goodhue investigators on their inquiry.
Goodhue County Attorney
Steve Betcher said the investigation into related allegations is continuing. In a press release, Betcher said he believes that by making the charges filed today public, additional information may be forthcoming from witnesses.
Roder, who had little comment on the charges, said he hopes the city can now move forward.
“It’s all very sad and unfortunate.”
Betcher said his office will prosecute the case. Lansing’s first appearance in court is set for Nov. 19 in Faribault.
— Suzanne Rook can be reached at srook@northfieldnews.com or 645-1113.
UPDATE 3:13 p.m.
Mayor Lee Lansing was charged today with five counts of misconduct by a public official and two counts of conflict of interest by a public official.
The charges stem from a 16-month-long investigation by Goodhue County initially begun by former Northfield Police Chief Gary Smith. Smith’s attorney last year said the review was of Smith’s then boss, Al Roder.
The review quickly focused on Lansing after city councilors in July 2007 became aware of several memos from Lansing to Roder, which they believed could show a the mayor acted unethically.
The charges filed today allege Lansing failed to disclose his business dealings with individuals who had business with the city and that he exceeded his authority as mayor.
Goodhue County Attorney Steve Betcher said his office will prosecute the case.
— Suzanne Rook can be reached at srook@northfieldnews.com or 645-1113.
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wow. surprised? no.
Those who called for his resignation are vindicated. Those who believed the findings of the Everrett Report are vindicated.
Shame on those who refused to acknowledge and accept the facts as they were reported back to the community. They should have helped Lansing resign with some shred of dignity.
What a legacy, a Mayor charged, a would be Council Member charged, a city divided, friendships destroyed. What a tremendous tragedy.
Suzy, is there any indication that there are any other charges to others pending? In other words, is this all there is to the Goodhue investigation?
Also, lets see in print the "investigation" that Gary Smith started please.
Thanks
why stop there? you don't even have to look in the paper's archives for proof that this city has zero leadership and is a total embarassment. heroin ring busted up, the recent beating of a developmentally disabled man- that's just in the month of October. makes me want to move, i'm so disgusted with all of them.
AnObserverNoMore,
I TOTALLY agree with you. It is very difficult to tell outsiders to come to beautiful Northfield when you have the illegal actions by the Mayor and EDA, Charter member, would be Council member, the heroin curse on this community, and the beating of a developmentally disabled man. They tell me I am living in a cesspool.
I too have periodically regretted by move to Northfield. However, I have seen more of the goodness and generosity than the despicable acts.
You are so right-on when you pin this on city leadership. That is why I am voting for Mary Rossing.
Martha- i am not so sure we do not live in a cesspool. when our city police is devoting time to the criminals in city hall rather than the criminals selling drugs in bridge square we have a serious misplacement of our priorities!
I think both are important to pursue. They each affect us in different ways. They each contribute to the quality of life -- or the lack there-of.
yes i agree, but the fact that we have to pursue any criminal activity in our city government at all is outrageous!
Well, the police and lawyers have really been busy around here this week.
Last summer, we were shocked by the heroin problem and the activities of the Mayor. Sixteen months later, we see that the wheels of justice do indeed turn in this town, even if they do so slowly.
It's not surprising to see occasional inappropriate activities by public officials. The important thing is to see that such problems are addressed appropriately.
I wonder, does it matter any more? The people spoke and he won't be invited back for a second term. Was that enough justice or not?
Jaci, in one sense it doesn't matter. And yes, we'd all like to move on.
Still, it is crucial that we complete the process and that he takes responsibility for his actions. If he doesn't plead guilty or isn't found guilty, there will be people who continue to live in the fantasy that this was all some vast conspiracy against an innocent man.
I don't want to see jail time or even a fine. I just want an honest apology for all the damage he and his supporters have done to so many people -- and to the community he swore to serve. If Mr. Roder is cleared of all wrongdoing, he deserves a personal and public apology from all those who slandered him.
I am not happy to see more pain, but after two years of being ridiculed and insulted for standing up to this wrongdoing, I am allowed a moment to savor the fact that justice is being served at last. We need to let this drama play out.
Jaci,
If we follow your premise then should everyone who breaks the law get the same type of pass? I see kids who have done stupid things, only hurt themselves and their families getting shipped of to juve.
If Senator Stevens gets re-elected should the Senate and the State of Alaska ignore his seven convictions just because he's been humiliated enough?
The law if broken needs to be enforced.
Maybe I'm misreading the complaint, but it appears to say that the former city administrator accepted $25,000 through various people listed in the complaint to pay part of the closing costs on his home here. But he didn't note that loan as a liability on his mortgage loan application. Anybody know the legal ramifications of that?
Sounds like he loses his apology and maybe gets to share a cell with Lansing.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Another page of the complaint says Lansing et al were meeting with Ray Cox as far back as Nov. 15, 2005 on the Division Street development. One memo Cox wrote, which was an agenda of a meeting, says "...TIF: Lee to get Riverfront development agreement. How do we handle Brian O'Connell?" From that it would appear that Lansing was charged with getting TIF financing for the project and that Cox was at least aware of that. A later memo written by Cox, according to the complaint, states that Lee determined he shouldn't be involved in any of the EDA or TIF requests that come before the city and that he shouldn't be an owner in the LLC formed.
Is there any doubt now that the mayor should resign immediately? Clear the room, close the door, let the election happen and start the transition.
As for Roder, I guess we have to wait and see. I read the report and maybe I'm just tired, but exactly what did Roder do? The guy in the complaint was a mortgage broker and he gave Roder a 'bridge loan' that wasn't reported as one. Is that what happened? Did Roder pay it back? Did he know the mayor wrote a misleading letter for him?
I'm just trying to get my arms around this, because it's new info. I know there was a lot of questionable morgtage stuff going on that year, but that doesn't excuse it. If Roder knowingly took money and misled anyone in reporting it, then that's a huge problem. But there's no charge and no summary conclusion.
I guess we have to wait for the rest of this to be processed, which we must hope can be soon.
With the national election and the local election and all the fresh faces and fresh starts and fresh possibilities, we should have a huge citywide New Year's Day celebration to ring in all the good times ahead.
At this point, I'm inclined to walk away and not look back for fear of being turned into a pillar of salt.
I'm sadden by this news, certainly not elated or surprised. I think we all knew that this investigation was not going to be good news for Lee Lansing and possibly others. I just hope we realize that there are family members who are dealing with all of this and who need our concern and support. While I am disappointed and angry that these events took place, I cannot help but have concern with how difficult it has to be for those individuals during this difficult time.
Well, he pulled the wool over many peoples eyes for a very long time. Wouldn't someone find it hard to show their face after having reports like these released? Talk about damning evidence. Exactly why is he still the mayor - not that it matters at this point. He's done enough damage for this city. Thanks Lee, you are truly a gem.
what i find most disturbing is Lee Lansing's indignent attitude and obvious lack of remorse for anything he's done.
Lee Lansing has singlehandedly made the great city of Northfield the laughing stock of Minnesota. How one man could ruin a town is beyond me but Lee managed to do it. Mr. Lansing, how can you look at yourself in the mirror knowing what you've done to the citizens of Northfield over the last few years?
What is the process now? When the mayor resigns (surely, he couldn't try to stay), can the council appoint the winner of the election to take over right away? What's the most efficient way to keep the momentum from the election going and allow Mr. Lansing to deal with his issues on his own. We just don't need to have the city dragged through this any longer.
Amen to all the posts. He needs to go. Shame on you Lee Lansing... Shame on others for not getting you out of office a long time ago.
One more thing.... Mr. Lansing stated that he had no comment until Thursday..... Thursday is ticking away Lee, and I'd love to hear your side of the story - if you have one.
Laughing stock of Minnesota? Believe me, it's wider spread than that. We had relatives from North Dakota ask, "What the heck is going on in Northfield? Sounds like a bad movie."
Jaci - on the Ray Cox part of the Complaint, his notes reflected that he was also clarifying how to get around those little conflict issues, like suggesting Lansing put money in but not have an "on paper" ownership interest. It seems that needs a look-see! Was Northfield Construction one of the businesses searched?
Mortgage fraud? Seems to me there's a crew involved in Roder's mortgage financing scheme, so the net should expand. Roder's investigation isn't completed, we've got another chapter yet to come. Yes, a movie, but maybe a good one... the Coen bros ought to gear up for "Northfield."
The relatives in Illinois already heard about it. What an embarrassment.
What a awful man! He should be in jail. He not only has devastated the town of Northfield, but finacially ruined his wife, son, and grandchildren. Northfield, wake up and do the right thing! You are covering for this crook.