Prosecutor: Weaver Dickerson case still stalled

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- In late January, Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver said he hoped the investigation of Weaver Dickerson would be completed in 30 days.

More than eight months later, the former head of a proposed Cape Girardeau medical clinic appears no closer to a court date for allegedly lying about his criminal background on an application for $2 million in state aid.

Oliver blames the delay on a hectic caseload, lack of manpower and especially an uncooperative Missouri Department of Economic Development.

"The case has been put on the back burner," Oliver said. "I would love to move forward, but the information I need won't just magically appear."

Oliver says he's been asking the DED for specific data about the deal that would have given the company $1.3 million in Missouri Quality Jobs tax incentives and $750,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding.

"It's been a headache, but they've been less than forthcoming," Oliver said in an interview with the Southeast Missourian. "The last time I told you that, they sent me nasty letters, but nothing changed. So I'm comfortable in saying it again."

Oliver wouldn't elaborate on what information he's asking for because it's an ongoing investigation. But he did say he also is getting assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, who has someone looking into the matter.

But simply moving forward with the case without the information is not an option, Oliver said.

"I don't feel like the investigation has ever been completed so we can," he said.

"The Department has cooperated, and will continue to cooperate, with the Stoddard County prosecutor in his investigation," DED spokesman John Fougere said Tuesday in an email to the Southeast Missourian.

In the meantime, Oliver said he is considering turning the case over to the Missouri Attorney General's office. Oliver, elected last year, said he is preparing for two capital murder trials, multiple drug-related cases and handling a laundry list of other duties with limited manpower.

"Investigating a Jefferson City blunder simply cannot be the priority of Stoddard County law enforcement," Oliver said.

Dickerson's lawyer, Rance Butler of Dexter, Mo., did not return calls Tuesday.

The announcement of the $10 million Watch Me Smile vision and dental cooperative made headlines statewide last December when Gov. Jay Nixon was in Cape Girardeau to announce the state economic incentives. Hometown Innovation Team, which Dickerson is no longer affiliated with, promised its project would create 135 new jobs and renovate 90,000 square feet in downtown Cape Girardeau.

But the state economic development department rescinded its aid authorization the next week when it was learned Dickerson was on probation for writing more than $90,000 in bad checks in 2007. Dickerson had signed documents claiming that no owner of the company had committed a felony or was on probation.

The DED also referred the case to then-Stoddard County prosecutor Briney Welborn, who set a probation revocation hearing. Dickerson paid his $80,000 in restitution just before Oliver won election to the prosecutor job.

After taking office, Oliver amended the motion to revoke Dickerson's probation in January, alleging that he also padded the company's financial data on the application. Dickerson's probation has been suspended while the investigation is pending, Oliver said.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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