Ely municipal judge resigns and warns of possible embezzlement charges against White Pine County over unpaid weekend stipends

City Municipal Court Judge Mike Coster told the Ely City Council on March 27 that he has submitted his resignation effective April 4 and can remain through April 20 to assist with transition. Coster also raised a longstanding funding dispute with White Pine County, saying the county has not released state weekend-stipend funds intended for municipal justice purposes and that the withheld amount is at least $19,800 and may be ‘‘tens of thousands of dollars’’ more. He said he plans to pursue the prospect of embezzlement charges if the funds are not properly allocated.

Coster described operational problems with the administration of community service hours, saying adjudicated defendants have in some cases been turned away by the Public Works Department; he said he sometimes grants credit for the trip if a person was turned away. Mayor Nathan Robertson asked clarifying questions about alternate community service recipients and the judge said the City can invite additional recipients in appropriate cases (for example, library, senior center or nonprofit sites for defendants with hardships).

City Attorney Chris Arabia reported separately that the city filed a criminal complaint today on a public nuisance matter and said the City is coordinating with the District Attorney where cases exceed municipal jurisdiction. The record does not include a response from White Pine County to Judge Coster’s allegation during the meeting.

Judge Coster framed the potential legal action as contingent on whether the County continues inaction regarding the stipend; the council did not take a formal vote on the matter during the March 27 meeting.