Cass County board appoints special prosecutor

The Board of Supervisors in Western Iowa’s Cass County today approved the appointment of a “Special Prosecutor” in the civil suit against Sheriff Larry G. Jones. Atlantic Attorney Ron Feilmeyer – who is prosecuting the case against County Attorney James P. Barry – has been named prosecuting attorney in the Jones case as well. Iowa law lets local officials appoint a special prosecutor when the County Attorney has a conflict of interest. A suit filed by seven Atlantic residents seeks to remove both Barry and Jones from office for alleged improprieties. Jones is accused of creating a special sheriff’s “slush fund.” Barry created the appearance of “justice for sale,” by allegedly allowing speeding tickets to be reduced to mechanical violations in exchange for the defendants paying high fines. Des Moines Judge Robert A. Hutchinson appointed Feilmeyer as Special Prosecutor, but left it up to the board to confirm him. Feilmeyer told the Board this morning they’d have to act quickly if they wanted someone else to handle the case, since Jones’ trial begins in less than two-weeks. The case against Barry will be heard next Monday in the Cass County Courthouse.