Norman to be sentenced Thursday

Published 9:23 am Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Former Albert Lea City Manager Jim Norman is slated to be sentenced Thursday in Freeborn County District Court after being convicted in May of misusing his city-issued credit card for personal purchases.

Mower County District Court Judge Fred Wellmann, who has been presiding over the case, will conduct the sentencing.

A 12-member jury on May 13 found Norman guilty of five counts of permitting false claims against government by a public officer, one count of theft with the intent to exercise temporary control and one count of misconduct by a public officer.

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According to court records, the inappropriate charges on Norman’s credit card included purchases of feminine hygiene products, an aquarium, trail mix, cat litter, a refrigerator, women’s shoes and garbage service.

Norman, city manager from May through September 2010, has previously stated that he plans to appeal the verdict, noting he did not believe justice was served. He argued that many of the charges could have been considered relocation expenses and that he had no purposeful intent to defraud. The sentencing is set for 9 a.m.