It’s been one year and nearly eight months since a Marshall County Grand Jury entered an indictment against Michael Good for one count of Theft a D Felony and a second count of Official Misconduct as a D Felony.
The charges stemmed from an unauthorized sale of scrap materials while Good was the Director of the Marshall County Waste Management District.
Court papers state that Good received approximately $9,017.12 for scrap between January 1,2012 and April 30, 2014.
At his jury trial in June, 2016 , Good was found guilty on both counts.
Good was sentenced in Superior Court I by Judge Robert Bowen on August 10, 2016.
Judge Bowen sentenced Good to three years on Count I Theft, suspended two years, and ordered him to serve the one remaining year on home detention. He was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. Good will have two years of reporting probation once the home detention order has been completed.
Bowen said he would consider reducing the charge to a Class A misdemeanor at a later date.
Sentencing on Count II Official Misconduct was set as a concurrent one year of home detention. Judge Bowen did lower the charge from a D Felony to an A misdemeanor.
Good will also have to pay court fines and costs totaling $351 and pay fees for home detention monitoring. He was also ordered to make full restitution to Marshall County.
Prior to the sentencing, Good presented a check for full restitution to his attorney, Michael Tuszynski. It was noted during the sentencing hearing that the restitution check would be taken to the Marshall County Clerk’s office and distributed back to the Marshall County Waste Management account.
Deputy Prosecutor, Lynn Berndt, indicated that she concurred with the recommendations of the Probation Department.
Attorney Tuszynski argued that Good has no history of criminal offences, was very involved in the community and has led a service-based life, and asked for probation for Good.
During the trial, Turszynski had sought a “judgment on evidence” after the state presented their case indicating in essence that there was not enough evidence to proceed. The court denied that request.
At the sentencing hearing, Good read a long list of his history of community involvements. He also expressed his concern for his family. He said, “My greatest fear is that my mistakes will lead to their detriment.”
Judge Bowen said it was obvious that Good had been involved in the community, but then went on to say that the offences were committed over a long period of time. Bowen also pointed out how actions by government employees contribute to distrust from the community.
After the sentencing, Marshall County Prosecutor, Nelson Chipman, said, “The sentence is consistent with similar types of these cases. We feel the sentence was adequate and appropriate.”
Carol Anders Correspondent
