Charges dropped against former veterans memorial director

A judge dismissed a misconduct in office charge against the city's former veteran's memorial director today, after the state admitted it couldn't prove the elements of the crime.

According to the motion, the state asked 6th Judicial District Judge Marsha Beckelman to dismiss the felonious misconduct of office charge against Gary Craig after discovering information during the depositions. The state admitted it couldn't “prove beyond a reasonable doubt each and every element of the crime charged.”

Mike Lahammer, Craig's attorney, said Craig has always maintained his innocence. It was a personal vendetta against Craig and not based on any facts, he said.

Craig, 54, was accused of spending money improperly and accepting improper pay as a city employee. He was put him on leave in October 2007 and the Veteran Memorial Commission asked the State Auditor's Office to look into his handling of money. Craig resigned March 1, 2008, citing job stress.

“We proved our point in depositions, which made it very evident that the people who initiated these charges against Gary did so without

having all the facts in front of them, and that the “financial audit” done at a great expense to the city was based upon false premises,” Lahammer said.