Kane County is feeling a financial pinch from the upcoming trial of the Challenger Foundation founder Stephen Cartisano.
Cartisano is charged with negligent homicide in the June 1990 death of Kristen Chase, 16, Ponte Vedra, Fla. She died while hiking on Kaiparowits Plateau in the Challenger teen wilderness therapy program. An autopsy concluded she died of heat stroke.Cartisano also was charged with eight child abuse counts stemming from allegations that students were subjected to exposure to the elements and dragged or forced to hike while ill.
County commissioners voted this week to transfer funds from several department budgets to the court funds to cover expenses for numerous out-of-state witnesses.
The county has spent $11,000 so far for transportation and lodging and meals for witnesses expected to testify at the Sept. 16 trial, said Kathy Chamberlain, county clerk.
Chamberlain said she fears the transfers will lead to shortfalls later.
County Attorney Jim Scarth said the budgets should be safe until the state provides reimbursements sometime in October.
"We will get reimbursed on some expenses, but there is a lot that won't be reimbursed," Chamberlain said.
The county will pay for Scarth's and public defender Don Sherer's travels securing witnesses.
Meanwhile, scheduled maintenance on county buildings and grounds may have to wait, Chamberlain said.