Kofoed bills county for expenses

A Douglas County crime scene investigator wants the county to reimburse him for legal bills stemming from his recent acquittal of federal charges.

David Kofoed's attorney, Steve Lefler, filed a claim with the county Oct. 19 asking for $25,640 in legal fees and expenses.

On Tuesday, the County Board referred the claim to Deputy County Attorney Diane Carlson, who will review the matter and make a recommendation to the board by January.

Since the claim involves a criminal case against a county employee, it needs to be carefully considered, Carlson said.

In September, a federal jury acquitted Kofoed of four charges — mail fraud, falsification of records and two civil rights violations. The high-profile case revolved around allegations that Kofoed mishandled blood evidence from the 2006 shotgun slayings of a husband and wife from Murdock, Neb.

Kofoed, who is on paid administrative leave, also is awaiting trial on similar charges in Cass County.

Kofoed has 19 years of experience in crime scene investigation and has supervised the Douglas County crime lab since 2000.

Lefler said Kofoed was found not guilty and would not have faced the federal charges if not for his employment with Douglas County.

He added that the situation may have been different, in terms of reimbursement, if Kofoed had been found guilty.

He declined to comment on whether he has been paid by Kofoed. Lefler did say, however, that he charged a much lower fee than he normally would have because he considers Kofoed to be a respected friend.

Lefler also will represent Kofoed in the Cass County trial.

Carlson, of the Douglas County Attorney's Office, said Kofoed has indicated that he will submit another claim to the county if he's acquitted in the Cass County case.

County Board member Clare Duda said the county faces a difficult situation, and he isn't sure how he will vote until he receives the county attorney's recommendation.

The board must carefully guard tax dollars, he said, but also protect county employees. “It's not right,” Duda said, “that Dave Kofoed should have to go through all his own personal resources to defend the job he was doing for Douglas County.”

Contact the writer:

444-3198, chip.olsen@owh.com