Osage Beach alderman’s lawyer pledges fight
The lawyer for an Osage Beach aldermen accused of a felony for allegedly making a false sworn statement in 2016 says his client is not guilty.
“He’s not guilty of the charges that have been filed and he looks forward to defending against them in court,” Cole Bradbury said. He declined to comment further because the case is pending.
Osage Beach Board of Aldermen President Jeff Bethurem was charged with making a false statement on his 2016 candidacy form on Thursday.
According to court documents filed by the mayor of Osage Beach, Bethurem was convicted of a felony in Kansas in 1992, which was not disclosed on his candidacy form. He was also convicted of multiple misdemeanors in Missouri, including third-degree assault and second-degree property damage.
In Bethurem’s declaration of candidacy form, which was filed in December 2016, he stated he had not been convicted of or plead guilty to a felony or misdemeanor in any state.
There is currently a warrant out for Bethurem’s arrest, but he has not been taken into custody.
The Osage Beach Board of Aldermen Office said Bethurem has not yet resigned.
