A little more than a year and a half ago, criminal charges were brought against former Ferrelview board of trustees member Russell Wilson.
Charges have now been dropped against Wilson, who resigned his spot on the board, according to a spokesman from the Platte County prosecuting attorney’s office.
Wilson was facing a felony count of stealing by deception, a felony corruption charge and a misdemeanor charge of stealing, filed in June of 2018.
The charges were dropped after testimony from key witnesses in the case recorded in depositions were substantially different than the previous statements that led to the charges, which led to the case being dismissed.
Wilson was originally accused of fixing bids on a pair of former police cars that were put up for auction, a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria and a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria.
The probable cause statement alleged Wilson, who bid $1,100 on the 2005 and $550 on the 2002, wound up buying the 2005 for the $550 after falsely reporting to the board that the $2,500 bidder declined to purchase the vehicle.
The prosecutor alleges that Wilson had the title of the white Crown Victoria in his possession which included the manufacture year. On February 26, 2018, Wilson requested that the village transfer ownership of the 2005 Crown Victoria to him for $550.
The other stealing case and corruption charge stem from an incident when the city clerk issued a water disconnect notice for Wilson’s property due to a past due amount over $100.
Upon arrival, the chief water operator contacted Wilson, who was the water commissioner for the village and the employee’s boss. Wilson ordered him not to shut off his water. The employee requested an email from Wilson with the order and Wilson allegedly complied and the employee left the water service on, thus avoiding a $50 reconnect fee.
That employee refused to comment if he kept Wilson’s water on.