Curmudgeon's Corner
cur-mud-geon: anyone who hates hypocrisy and pretense and has the temerity to say so; anyone with the habit of pointing out unpleasant facts in an engaging and humorous manner
Village Buzz - June 10th...
Kempinski Claim Paid...
Rumors have circulated about the attorney's fees that were amassed by Village President Tom Kempinski in the defense of his campaign finance records. The District Attorney brought action and the case was ultimately settled with penalties being assessed against Kempinski for the "white-out" changes made to his reports. He blamed that on Jim Langer who had been maintaining those records at the time the changes were made.
I have learned that the village's insurance carrier paid a total of $16,599 dollars in attorney fees on behalf of Kempinski. The insurance policy contained language that stipulated it would pay up to $25,000 to an insured for legal defense expenses incurred because of an alleged criminal act while acting within the scope of their duties.
That insurance policy also states that the named insured must authorize the reimbursement.
There is no record that this topic was ever brought before the village trustees while in a duly called meeting. The best information I can gather indicates that Kempinski involved the village attorney in moving this claim forward; it does not appear that anyone else in the employ of the village has had involvement in this process, other than potentially at the very beginning.
A couple of thoughts on this matter...
I am surprised that the village's insurance policy would treat improperly maintained and reported campaign receipts as being within the phrase "while acting within the scope of their duties". I don't recall that the duties ascribed to the village president included campaigning for office.
I am surprised that there is no formal record of "the named insured" (being the Village of Germantown) having directed this reimbursement.
Finally, I don't know if this payment will be big enough or of a sensitive enough nature as to cause an increase in the cost of this coverage to the village, but that ought to be watched during the next renewal cycle.
This just doesn't seem right to me.
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The Curmudgeon Blog today is titled "Health Care Crystal Ball".
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