OSKALOOSA —
The trial for Henry “Willie” VanWeelden continued in Mahaska County Court Tuesday.
VanWeelden faces three charges: first-degree theft, felonious conduct in office and tampering with documents.
Former Mahaska County Supervisor Lawrence Rouw took the stand and was questioned by both prosecution and defense counsel for the duration of the morning after court came into session just after 9 a.m. Rouw served as a Mahaska County supervisor alongside VanWeelden until leaving office in December 2010.
Rouw was asked about health insurance practices for Mahaska County Supervisors, as well as how budgets are certified during Tuesday’s questioning.
The terms “newly elected” and “reelected” with regard to VanWeelden’s serving as a county supervisor were also discussed during questioning.
Prosecutor Becky Goettsch argued Monday that VanWeelden submitted a letter to Auxient, which helps process claims, to add his wife, Bonnie, to county insurance coverage without the knowledge of the other two sitting supervisors.
Usage of Mahaska County letterhead also came up during the questioning of Rouw Tuesday. Rouw noted that it was common for the chairman or vice chairman of the supervisors to use this letterhead and that Willie was not either of these at the time the letter was sent.
During his testimony, Rouw also said the Mahaska County Supervisors did not vote on the matter of adding Bonnie VanWeelden to county insurance coverage.
Defense Attorney Matthew Moore was given an opportunity to cross-examine Rouw Tuesday. Moore asked Rouw about how county budgets operate and Rouw said that January and part of February are busy budget times.
During the cross examination of Rouw, it was noted that the terms “newly-elected" and “reelected” would be important to the case.
“Those two words are important in this case, aren’t they?” asked Moore of Rouw.
Rouw said they would be important to the case.
Moore would go on to say that the Mahaska County insurance plan doesn’t specifically denote that elected officials such as county supervisors shall be covered by the county’s insurance.
The next to take the stand Tuesday was Bradley M. Reiman of Bearence Management Group in West Des Moines as the afternoon portion of proceedings took place. He served as a consultant for Mahaska County’s employee benefit package beginning May 1, 2009. Reiman provided information on how health insurance operated with regard to the case while being questioned by both Goettsch and Moore.
Mahaska County Supervisor Greg Gordy was the final person to take the stand Tuesday. Gordy has served on the Mahaska County Supervisors since 1999.
While being questioned by Goettsch, Gordy discussed his focus on open meetings laws and how they can apply to elements of this case.
During his testimony, Gordy also talked about the usage of Mahaska County letterhead.
The question of whether or not County Supervisors are eligible for health insurance was also discussed during Rouw and Gordy’s testimonies. This is related to the idea of them being only part-time employees.
Much of the testimony made by Gordy and Rouw focused on tracing the time line of events involved with the case throughout Tuesday’s proceedings, as well.
Watch the Herald for more information on the VanWeelden trial.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and VanWeelden presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com.
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Current, former supervisors testify in VanWeelden trial
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