Sturgis Annexation Case

More News

• Related Materials

• Links
  • City of Sturgis
• Stories
  • Sturgis Annexation Will Go to a Vote
  • Sturgis Annexation Vote at Hand
  • Sturgis Annexation Rejected
  • City of Sturgis Under Investigation

The city of Sturgis is under investigation over campaign funding from the recent annexation vote.

A complaint was filed that the city may have used public funds to influence voters. 

On Wednesday, Sturgis mayor Maury Larue read a statement on behalf of the city and council.  In which he stated the city provided factual information for voter education.

The city tried to annex land east of Sturgis, but the vote failed.

The group "Future Sturgis" which is featured in the government tab of city website supported annexation.  The mayor says that group is not a city organization and is not controlled by the city council.

Mayor Maury LaRue said, "There is nothing improper or illegal about responding to voter's questions, in fact, no response would be irresponsible."

The mayor criticized the Meade County States Attorney Jesse Sondreal.

Larue says Sondreal spoke out on an ongoing investigation which "insults the honesty of council members and degrades relations between the city council and Meade County," Sondreal denies this claim

The attorney says he never specifically commented on the allegations.  Sondreal says it's wrong for the city to come out and attack him before the investigation is even complete.  He says the investigation report, by DCI was received by his office at 2:00P.M. Wednesday afternoon and he hasn't had a chance to review it and see if the city is even at fault.