FARGO (AP) - The state of North Dakota is appealing a judge's order that a state Bureau of Criminal Investigation agent and state attorney general pay back a man for confiscating his pay loader and failing to return it as ordered.
Agent Arnie Rummel took possession of the loader in May from Darrell Schrum, of Forbes, after an investigation determined the equipment was stolen. Schrum told authorities he didn't know about the theft and he bought the loader in good faith.
A judge ordered that Schrum be paid nearly $54,000 by the end of the month.
The attorney general's office says it's a unique case and the issue is not clearly defined by law.
Schrum's attorney says the appeal is compounding the damage and it will result in an additional $10,000 in fees.