Former County Supervisor Spends Morning On Stand

Matt Moore (center left) and Willie VanWeelden discuss with each other Tuesday morning while former Mahaska County Supervisor Lawrence Rouw was on the stand

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The lawyers and prosecution started arriving shortly after 8 am in preparation for the first full day of court.

The case against Willie VanWeelden has taken over a year to get to this point.

The state first called former county supervisor Lawrence Rouw to the stand.

The early argument in the case seems to be surrounding the notion of when conversations took place and the definition of what is newly elected and re-elected.

Rouw was asked by State Prosecutor Becky Goettsch how the family plan worked in regards to adding a family member or dependent to the health insurance plan.

“If you’re a new employee or newly elected official”, Rouw said you’re allowed to put you’re family on at that point.

Defense attorney Matt Moore in cross-examination questioned Rouw. “Where in either of those policies does it make a distinction that re-elected officials are not newly elected officials?”

The court took a short break at that time, but when they returned the line of questioning started back up.

During the break Rouw was able to look at the document, along with the State. Rouw answered, “It does not say elected or re-elected.”

There was much more that happened during the morning’s questioning. Look for a full rundown later this evening.