Charges dismissed against Cass deputy

WALKER - Charges of felony theft, theft by false representation and presenting false claims to a public officer or body filed against Cass County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Holmes Karbowski, 77, Bena, were dismissed Feb. 13.

Judge Shari R. Schluchter, who heard the case in Beltrami County District Court, accepted a plea agreement and issued the dismissal.

Karbowski was accused of submitting bills to both Cass County and Pike Bay Township, where he worked as a part-time police officer, for the same work hours.

Clearwater County Sheriff's Department investigated the case to prevent a conflict of interest. Clearwater County Attorney Jeanine R. Brand prosecuted the case.

According to court minutes on the Feb. 13 hearing where the dismissal was issued, Karbowski paid $591.02 to Pike Bay Township. This covers excess wages and benefits, plus Pike Bay's cost for copying, postage, wages and a special meeting associated with the charges, according to information Brand released Feb. 13.

Karbowski also was required to write a letter of apology to Pine Bay Township, according to the court minutes and Brand's notification.

Brand's notification quoted Karbowski's letter as stating: "I apologize for the three errors I made while I was in your employ. As you know, as a result of those errors I was paid for 3.5 hours by Pike Bay when I was actually working for Cass County. I have paid back a salary overpayment of $66.50, plus the $8.58 pension benefits. I want to make it absolutely clear to you that I did not do this intentionally and I was unaware of this problem until charges were brought against me. I want to apologize to the board and all involved for the inconvenience. I have always had the best interest of Pike Bay Township in mind when I was employed, and I am sorry that I made these errors which caused us all so many problems."

Sheriff Randy Fisher said in a telephone interview last week he would remove Karbowski from unpaid administrative leave and return him to his position as part-time deputy upon receipt of the court record.