LANCASTER, MO. -- Controversy over a Heartland business building a new facility takes an unusual turn.
Tri-County Electric Cooperative plans to construct a new $3.2 million complex in Schuyler County.
But residents aren't happy because their electric bills will go up to pay for the facility.
Petitions were available at the BP gas station just south of Lancaster.
"It asked people to sign their names on this piece of paper and if they agreed with and was a member of the co-op and were wanting to have a public hearing that they would sign this," said Schuyler County Prosecutor Brenda Swedberg.
Terry Miller from Greentop, Mo. allegedly stole the petitions from the gas station and gave them to Tri-County General Manager Dave Ramsey of Kirksville.
Miller is charged with misdemeanor theft, and Ramsey is charged with receiving stolen property, also a misdemeanor.
“I believe that I always have, in the 14 years that I've been here, looked at the case regardless of the people involved and only looked at the facts of the case regardless of whether they're rich or poor or whatever their status are. If it appears that a crime has been committed then I will charge on the crime,” said Schuyler County Prosecutor Brenda Swedberg.
If found guilty, both men could spend up to a year in jail or pay no more than $1,000 in fines.
We contacted Dave Ramsey Wednesday to get his side of the story.
He told KTVO that he and Miller “have been advised by counsel not to discuss or comment on the issue.”
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO