Casper Star-Tribune from Casper, Wyoming • 15

star Wyoming Bl Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1987 Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. Bank probes overload U.S. attorney's office t.

i -r- I npr- I 3 (7t I It that accused them of fraudulently diverting $20 million for their own benefit. The indictments followed a lengthy FBI investigation into activities at Guaranty Federal Bank of Casper, Stock growers State Bank in Worland and First National Bank in Evanston, according to I BI officials. Stacy pointed to the Guaranty Federal case as an example of the complexity of bank fraud investigations. "These cases are extremely time-consuming to investigate," he said. The indictments "came at the end of almost two full years of really intensive investigation." Just eight 1 151 agents are assigned to Wyoming, Stacy said, and seeral more would he needed for his office to handle all its investigations adequately.

Problems with bank fraud are not limited to Wyoming, Stacy added. "In other places that are having similar economic difficult ies like Oklahoma and Texas they are experiencing similar problems on even a much larger scale than we are," said the attorney, noting that fraud investigations in Texas have involved billions of dollars. Hi CHEYENNE (AP) Cases of fraud at Wyoming's financial institutions have increased with the downturn in the state's economy, but the U.S. attorney's office is ill-equipped to handle the extra work load, according to U.S. Attorney Richard Stacy.

"We're doing the best we can with the resources we have," Stacy said. "But in order to do justice to the problem we need more resources." Stacy said he and his five assistants spent 40 percent of their time last year investigating cases of while collar crime in Wyoming, including bank fraud. "We can't do an adequate job of it (investigating bank cases) because we have other things to worry about besides bank fraud," he said. He added, however, that he does not feel the lack of staffing has caused his office to miss any important cases. In testimony before a U.S.

House subcommittee last week, Stacy said at least four more financial institutions are expected to fail in the next year, and some of those failures may be followed by criminal investigations. He added that 13 financial institutions, four of them still in business, are now being examined by federal investigators. Of the 13 institutions under investigation, indictments have been handed down in connection with the failed Guaranty Federal Savings Bank of Casper and Medicine Bow State Bank. He noted that an indictment for bank fraud and embezzlement also has been handed down against an employee of First Wyoming Bank of Saratoga. An earlier report had said the indictment came in connection with the failed Saratoga State Bank.

First Wyoming Bancorp, acquired Saratoga State Bank after the institution failed in October 1985. And in the latest case, a federal grand jury on Nov. 13 indicted four prominent Wyoming bankers in the wake of an FBI investigation i 1 i if I 'Tis the season Sweetwater judge won't release bond information Despite money woes, Sullivan says he'll back tourism infrastructure Sullivan opposes free trade pact CHEYENNE Gov. Mike Sullivan has notified Wyoming's congressional delegation that he opposes the recently negotiated Canadian Free Trade Agreement because of potential adverse effects on Wyoming's energy industry. Sullivan said the agreement apparently was negotiated with energy consumers in mind but resulted in "unacceptable provisions" for energy producers.

He specifically objected to provisions affecting uranium, electric power and natural gas. The agreement, if made final, would allow Canada to Hood the U.S. with heavily subsidized uranium at lower prices than inside Canada, he said. Sullivan said the proposed trade agreeincnt also favors export to the U.S. of subsidized Canadian electric power and appears to eliminate certain restrictions on Canadian natural gas.

Rawlins Holiday Inn hit by armed robber RAWLINS About $300 was taken in an armed robbery at the Holiday Inn here just before midnight Sunday, Police Det. Rob Lancto said. A man dressed in green coveralls and wearing an army-green Halloween mask, forced a desk clerk to give him the money during the robbery at 11:55 p.m. Sunday. The man used what police believe was a semi-automatic handgun in the robbery, Lancto said.

Following the robbery the desk clerk was locked in a closet at the motel. She was not injured, and was able to get free and call police to report the incident, Lancto said. No arrests have been made. The suspect is believed to be a local resident, Lancto said. 'Loop Road' closed for winter season LANDER The scenic Louis Lake Road, known generally as the "Loop Road" in the Wind River Mountains above Lander, has been closed for the winter.

Acting District Ranger Bob Rossman said in a press release that the road was closed Nov. 20 "from South Pass to Bruce's Bridge in Sinks Canyon." The road is a heavily-used snowmobile trail during the winter when conditions and grooming permit. American Party will try to get on ballot CROWHEART Howard O'Connor of the American Party says that his party will also "definitely" stage a petition drive for a place on next year's ballot. Last week the Libertarian and New Alliance parties announced that they hope to obtain enough valid petition signatures to be on next year's election ballot. The American Party petition signature drive will probably start in January, O'Connor said.

"We intend, prior to that drive, to come up with a senatorial and a congressional candidate so that the people will know approximately what sort of people and programs they are signing for when they sign that party petition," O'Connor said. Killian: Journalism dept. morale high LARAMIE Morale in the University of Wyoming Journalism Department is "surprisingly high" despite proposals to eliminate that department, according to Doug Killian, acting head of the department. "I think faculty members have handled this wonderfully," Killian said Monday after noting that the department's four faculty oppose eliminating the department and putting in its place an interdisciplinary journalism program. The journalism proposal is now on UW Provost Robert Houston's desk.

Ultimately the issue will be decided by the UW Trustees. Porter Bailey, (left), community Christmas tree tinue to work with Colorado to promote the two states as the gateway to the Rockies. Sullivan also said he supports the recent "tough" decisions made by the Wyoming Centennial Commission. He was referring to the commission's decision to award a marketing contract for official centennial t-shirts, sweat shirts and caps to a Georgia company. Among other things, the governor asked the group to recommend whether he should re-activate the REACT organization, comprised of various state agencies involved in tourism, as a tool to better coordinate the state's efforts.

Rep. Peg Shreve, R-Park, chairman of the Joint Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Committee, said her subcommittee on tourism is concerned about coordination between state tourism agencies. "For too many years, the agencies have not worked together," Shreve said. "They have been busy cutting each other down. We don't want that kind of tunnel vision." Shreve said members of the subcommittee who toured state parks and other recreation and historical sites last summer, were "welcomed At Pam Dickhaus and Bill Henry string lights on the in downtown Worland Saturday.

with open arms" and were told in some cases they were the first group of legislators to visit the sites. The subcommittee found inadequate highway signs to entice tourists to visit recreation and historic sites. Wyoming Highway Dept. Supt. Leno Menghini agreed there is a need for more signs but said the department cannot respond to every request because of the cost and the danger of pitting one community or region of the state against another.

The department already has invested nearly $60,000 in 45 diversion signs showing travellers various routes to Yellowstone National Park, said Bud Schepp of the WHD signing division. Assistant Travel Commission Director Clyde Douglass said tourism was up by 8 to 10 percent this year based on counts taken at the Wyoming entrances to Yellowstone National Park. Douglass said studies show conventions brought more than $21 million into the state. He said he hopes that by next year the state's bed-and-breakfast locations will reach 100 and a computer reservation system will be in operation. the governor that contract terms are "up to the labor and management in terms of their negotiation process," but defended his own support of the union.

Vinich said he had contacted Rep. Lynn Dickey, D-Sheridan, at the inception of the strike to offer his help. Later, at the request of the state AFL-CIO, Vinich said he agreed to participate in a food bank for striking miners and their families. "1 just can't see anybody that's in politics turning their backs or running away from a problem," he said. "I'm sure as hell not going to turn my back on people who need help in the state." "I understand that there are RICHARD STACY No important cases missed "My impression is that the judge's position is that he will either release all the information or no information." Krampner commented on his ow interpretation of the statute.

"I don't find any basis in the statute for a judge to refuse to advise the press or the public as to the amount of bail he has set in a sexual assault case, so long as he has complied with the provisions of 6-2-310 (a) which prohibits the release of the names of the defendant or alleged victim in a sexual assault case." Krampner also commented on reasons that the public should be made aware of court actions in matters of bail bonding. "I'm sure (Judge Soule) is acting out of a worthy motive, but the reason to make the amount of bail bond public is not so the defendant's name can be known, but so that people can make decisions about what they think of the court's actions." Rock Springs Police Lieutenant Tom Tufford confirmed that the suspect was in fact released on bond late Nov. 20, but he would not disclose the amount of the bond. Deputy County Attorney Sue Kearns, who is handling the case, said that the suspect will make an initial appearance at 2 p.m. Dec.

3. in Sweetwater County Court. She said the court had informed her the proceedings would be closed to the public. family and neighbors were involved in it, 1 sure as heck wouldn't say I'm not going to get involved," Vinich said. Vinich compared the labor problems in Sheridan County with the -enr-ly union movement around Hudsotujrhe United Mine Workers union chartered its- first local there in 1908, he said.

"Practically everything that the working people have today is because of those original people like my grandfather that got together and stuck together basically out of need and principle. Many years later, I think that same kind of spirit must exist up in Sheridan County." By KATHARINE COLLINS Star-Tribune southwestern bureau ROCK SPRINGS A man arrested Nov. 19 under charges of kidnapping, attempted first-degree sexual assault and assault and battery has been released on bond, but the Sweetwater County Court will not release figures on how much bond was required. Court Clerk Zoda Ferguson said she had been ordered by Judge Samuel Soule not to provide any information about the case. "I believe there's a statute that closes the file," she said, citing a state law that protects the identity of those involved in sexual assault cases.

Ferguson refused further comments, and Judge Soule declined to discuss his order. The statute (Wyo. Statute 6-2-310 (a) states that "prior to the filing of an information or indictment, neither the names of the alleged actor or victim of a sexual assault nor any other information reasonably likely to disclose the identity of the victim shall be released to the public by any public employee except as authorized by the judge or justice with jurisdiction over the criminal charges." Casper attorney Michael Krampner, who operates the Freedom of Information Hotline supported by several media associations in the state, contacted Judge Soule in an unsuccessful effort to gain access to the information. times when labor's wrong and management's right but there are times when principle's involved, too, and I'd probably fall down on the side of the working man more so than the other side that's where I come from," he said. Vinich criticized Wallop for his hands-off stance but avoided chiding the governor for his neutrality on labor-management issues.

"During the last six years of Malcolm's term, there have been many problems in the state he hasn't wanted to get involved in. "I think it's unfortunate I know if there was a big problem in my home town of Hudson and my By JOAN BARRON Star-Tribune capital bureau CHEYENNE Despite the state's fiscal prdblems, Gov. Mike Sullivan said Monday he is committed in the upcoming budget session to support the state's tourism infrastructure. The governor said the state can have the greatest influence over tourism Wyoming's second largest industry unlike agricultural and mineral development, which are subject to outside market forces. Sullivan was the lead-off speaker for a state conference on tourism, attended by nearly 100 representatives of six state agencies, state commission members and legislators.

The governor said he wants to promote Wyoming tourism opportunities nationwide and even worldwide. The state can have an impact with creativity and without spending a great deal of money, he said. As an example, Sullivan cited the "Find Yourself in Wyoming" billboard erected outside the Lincoln Tunnel in New York at no cost to the state. He said the state should con Vinich hits By MATT WINTERS Star- Tribune staff writer CASPER Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Vinich said Monday that Sen.

Malcolm Wallop is wrong in not becoming more involved in the Decker Coal strike and defended his own more active role in the dispute. Vinich's Union Bar in Hudson was li as a collection point for food in an advertisement in last Sunday's Star-Tribune placed by the Wyoming AFL-CIO and the United Steelworkers of America. "We're closing in on the Christmas holidays. We have a lot of Wyoming residents up there and it looks like it could be a pret Wallop's 'hands-off stance' on Decker strike ty bleak holiday season for them," Vinich said. Wallop, who has a home near Sheridan, said there Saturday that he won't take sides in the nearly eight-week-old strike by United Mine Workers of America members against the Decker Coal Co.

although the strike "is tearing our town apart." Gov. Mike Sullivan, who along with Wallop spoke to members of the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, said Saturday that his position is "to stay out of those kind of things." Sullivan added, however, that he had encouraged continued bargaining by the parties. Vinich agreed with Wallop and.