Former North Dakota Workers’ Comp Chief Faces Sentencing

A lawyer for former North Dakota workers compensation director Sandy Blunt says his client should not get jail time for his felony conviction.

A jury convicted Blunt last December of misspending more than $10,000 in public money while he was director of the Workforce Safety and Insurance agency.

Blunt is to be sentenced today in Bismarck. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Blunt’s lawyer, Michael Hoffman, says in a court filing that Blunt’s sentence should be deferred and he should not have to pay restitution. A deferred sentence means Blunt would not go to prison and the charge eventually could be wiped off his record.

Burleigh County prosecutors have not filed a sentence recommendation. Prosecutor Cynthia Feland says she won’t comment about it until today’s sentencing.

Earlier, Feland said Blunt should at least have to repay more than $26,000.