Jasper County Lawsuit Settlement
By: Melanie Huonker
Updated: January 11, 2013
CARTHAGE, MO. --- A judge accepted the agreement with Henry County Commissioners today, but the two counties informally agreed yesterday.
Former Sheriff Archie Dunn said he sent inmates to Henry County because of overcrowding at the Jasper County Jail.
The Jasper County Commission and the former sheriff are still at odds with the commission seeking repayment from Dunn.
The county's attorney says there was never money in the sheriff's budget to send the inmates.
Dunn's lawyer argues there should be no lawsuit.
A judge accepted the agreement with Henry County Commissioners today, but the two counties informally agreed yesterday.
Former Sheriff Archie Dunn said he sent inmates to Henry County because of overcrowding at the Jasper County Jail.
The Jasper County Commission and the former sheriff are still at odds with the commission seeking repayment from Dunn.
The county's attorney says there was never money in the sheriff's budget to send the inmates.
Dunn's lawyer argues there should be no lawsuit.
"They're basically saying the sheriff of Jasper County breached his duty therefore he's personally responsible for this bill," Bill Fleishaker, Dunn's attorney, says.
"For the county to be liable on the bill there has to be a written contract in this case there wasn't there has to money in the office holder's budget in this case there wasn't," Norman Rouse, Jasper County attorney, says.
Henry County sued for $134,000 to recover costs for housing Jasper County jail inmates in 2011.
