Bisbee cites prosecutor for his $73,000 legal bill

BENTONVILLE — Benton County Judge Dave Bisbee says Benton County Prosecutor Van Stone is to blame for his $73,000 legal bill.

“He chose to prosecute me under the law which mandates the county pays my attorney fees,” Bisbee said. “He tried to ruin me. He tried to take my job. If you go on a witch hunt, then you must pay.”

Stone said no one blames Bisbee for seeking the fees. Stone said what is at issue is what is a reasonable amount.

Bisbee was on trial in June for three misdemeanor charges stemming from his decision to hire his then-company, Valley Homes, to do remodeling at the county collector’s and assessor’s offices in Rogers.

Bisbee was represented in court by attorney Asa Hutchinson.

A jury found Bisbee not guilty on two of the three charges but could not reach a decision on the charge accusing Bisbee of using his office or the influence created by his office to advance the economic interests of an associate. Prosecutors later dismissed the charge.

Bisbee called the charges “politically motivated.”

He also was critical of Stone for questioning Hutchinson about having two other attorneys assist him with thecase. Stone questioned the amount of time his son Asa Hutchinson III spent working on the case during the fourday trial.

Bisbee points out Stone had two deputy prosecutors - Brandon Carter and David Reading - assist him with the case.

He said also Stone used an investigator, legal clerks and several other deputy prosecutors.

Bisbee said he believes the prosecutors spent more than $73,000 on the investigation and trial. He is gathering figures to have for a hearing before Special Judge John Walton Cole on Aug. 10.

“If the prosecutors spent $73,000, then the defense should be able to do anything in proportion to the prosecution,” Bisbee said.

Stone said he is anxious to see how Bisbee came up with the figure.

Bisbee’s case was one of the least expensive trials for the prosecutor’s office, Stone said. The biggest expense is usually traveling and lodging expenses for victims and witnesses. There were no such expenses in Bisbee’s case, Stone said.

The case also did not create a hardship for his office, Stone said. Reading and Carter continued handling their normal felony caseload while working on Bisbee’s case, Stone said.