BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A special commissioner overseeing Gov. Jack Dalrymple's suspension of Ward County Sheriff Steve Kukowski has rejected a request by Kukowski's attorney that she urge the governor to change his mind.
Retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Klein recommended the removal process proceed, saying arguments by defense attorney Peter Welte to end the case weren't persuasive.
Kukowski will still get a hearing on whether his removal is warranted. But Welte says he's disappointed with Klein's decision. He says Kukowski remained in office for nearly 1 { years after his alleged misdeeds with "no indication of harm to the public."
Kukowski faces a January trial on misdemeanor charges of refusing to perform a public duty and reckless endangerment in the October 2014 death of a jail inmate. Kukowski maintains he did nothing wrong.
