Alma Board Member Charged With Self-Dealing In Frac Sand Mine Approval

Felony misconduct chargers have been filed against a town board member in Jackson County accused of profiting from the approval of a frac sand mine.

A criminal complaint submitted by Jackson County District Attorney Gerald Fox alleges Alma Town Board Supervisor Theron Prindle violated state ethics laws for elected officials when he approved a developers agreement with Goose Landing Sand Company a year after leasing property to the business.

Fox declined an interview.

Records within the criminal complaint show the lease between Prindle and Goose Landing was signed June 2012 and the approval to mine was issued in December 2013.

Prindle has said none of his land was involved in any sand mine businesses considered by the town board. If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison or $10,000 in fines.

A separate complaint seeks to invalidate developers agreements between the town of Alma and Goose Landing, now owned by Badger Mining Company, as well as agreements with Wisconsin Proppants LLC and Coulee Frac Sand.