Charges dropped against Osage Beach alderman
Criminal charges against Osage Beach Alderman Jeff Bethurem have been dropped after he was accused of making false statements on his 2016 alderman candidacy form.
The charges were dropped Friday in Camden County court.
Charges were filed Nov. 21 against Bethurem alleging that he failed to disclose that he is a felon with convictions in Kansas and Missouri. The complaint was filed by Osage Beach Mayor John Olivarri.
In a news release, Bethurem states he will continue serving Osage Beach.
“I am delighted and relieved by the judge’s decision to dismiss the charge,” Bethurem said. “I had received threatening letters in my mailbox demanding I resign from office. I refused to resign because I refuse to be intimidated by anonymous threats.”
The Camden County circuit clerk’s office declined to comment on the case and the case had been removed from online court records. The Camden County prosecutor was not available for comment.
Making false statements is a Class D felony in Missouri and punishable by up to seven years in prison. A judge wrote in the order dismissing the case that the facts would not support a conviction under the charge.
