Former Albert City Manager Jim Norman reportedly changed his explanation to authorities at least once after his alleged misuse of the city-issued credit card was discovered.

That was the message Chief Deputy Waseca County Attorney Brenda Miller argued Wednesday afternoon in her opening statements of Norman’s trial.

After three long days of intense jury questioning, 14 Freeborn County residents were seated Wednesday before 4 p.m. on the case. Opening statements by Miller and Norman’s lawyer, Peggy Rockow, followed shortly after.

Norman faces eight counts, including seven felonies and one gross misdemeanor.

Miller said after the alleged credit card charges were found, Norman first admitted to the city’s finance director that some of the charges were for personal use, and reportedly stated he was in “terrible financial shape.”

Later, when interviewed by police, he claimed all the charges were part of a moving expense, she said.

She noted that Norman signed a card user agreement that told him how the card could be used and was told that any improper use of the card would be considered misappropriation of city funds.

She read through a series of apparent charges on the card including for garbage disposal, for long-distance prepaid phone card for gas on 10 occasions, groceries four times, a refrigerator, three restaurants, charges for a new refrigerator, for three restaurants and for he what bought start later from a department store.

Defense opening statements

Rockow argued that Norman was willingly interviewed by investigators and that he was answering different questions when the different answers came out.

Rockow asked that jurors pay close attention to details, including the timeline of the alleged events and about the billing cycles before making a decision.

“Details, amounts and dates are critical,” Rockow said.

She also briefly talked about how Norman willingly let investigators come to his office and talk with him.

“The evidence will show you Mr. Noman had nothing to hide,” Rockow said.

She pointed out that the jury will more than likely see a series of emails between Moen and Norman.

“You will see when you put these together, there was not a crime committed by Mr. Norman,” she said.

Norman was present Wednesday with Rockow and appeared attentive.

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