FARGO, N.D. (AP) - An attorney for the state says a North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation agent may have made a mistake when he gave away a confiscated pay loader that was bought in Iowa by a Forbes man, but the agent should not be required to pay for the loss.
The state is appealing a judge's order that agent Arnie Rummel pay nearly $54,000 for the loader, which was taken from Darrell Schrum's shop because authorities believed the equipment was stolen.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Byers argued before the Supreme Court Monday that Judge Daniel Narum could have sanctioned Rummel, but there are too many questions about ownership to make Rummel financially liable.
Schrum's attorneys say Rummel did not have the authority to decide what to do with the loader.