DETROIT LAKES, Minn. -- A plea agreement has been reached in the case against former Becker County Sheriff Tim Gordon, who is accused of swindling the public by selling the sheriff’s office a used boat and passing it off as new.
Under the deal, which is pending a judge’s approval, felony charges of theft by swindle and making false claims will be dropped, according to Assistant Stearns County Attorney Kevin Voss.
Gordon instead will plead guilty to misconduct of a public officer, a gross misdemeanor.
The deal calls for a sentence of one year in jail, stayed for two years, during which time Gordon would be on probation. He also must pay restitution and won’t be able to renew his peace officer’s license.
A judge will consider the agreement May 6 in Becker County District Court.
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A criminal complaint alleges that Gordon sold his boat for an inflated price through the use of false documents that hid his ownership. Investigators found the boat, motor and trailer to be worth roughly $3,500, while the county paid $7,856.
Gordon retired suddenly two years ago before the investigation came to light.
To avoid a conflict of interest, the case is being handled by the Stearns County Attorney’s Office.
