Follow-Up on Former Commissioner Johnson

On ongoing pay dispute between a former commissioner and the county he represented is headed for litigation. Jasper County Commissioners met in closed session today to discuss former commissioner Ben Johnson. A pay hike that went into effect statewide in 1999 was later ruled unconstitutional by the Missouri Supreme Court. Johnson refuses to repay the county $33,000 as part of that hike. Now, county attorney Dean Dankelson is asking a local court to force Johnson to give the money back. Dean Dankleson - Jasper County Counselor "There is a particular statute which allows the county commission to sue for monies that are owed to the county and we will proceed under that statute, we will ask the court to declare that the money is owed and then under the statute, then ask to collect a judgment under that statue." Although the state`s high court invalidated the pay raise, they never addressed whether office holders would be forced to repay the money. But Dankelson says a ruling against the county could cost commissioners money. He says they could be forced to give up the money commissioner Anna Ruth Crampton has already reimbursed the county.