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Jamestown (CSi) A Jamestown man made his initial appearance in the Southeast District Court in Jamestown Wednesday, charged with multiple misdemeanor counts, related to alleged problems with contracts for his business.

44 year old Brian Lee Hanson, appeared on 62 misdemeanor charges for alleged irregularities in more than 90 contracts he made with customers to finance the purchase of vehicles or the repair of vehicles at his business, Budget Auto Sales & Service in Jamestown.

Hanson appeared before Judge Thomas Merrick on 31 counts of usury, a Class B misdemeanor, and 31 counts of violating the Truth in Lending Act, a Class A misdemeanor.

Hanson said he will be hiring his own attorney and is free on a personal recognizance bond. Hanson or his attorney will appear for a status conference scheduled for July 23, 2014, at 1:15 p.m..

Merrick said because there are multiple misdemeanor charges the most time in jail Hanson would face if he is found guilty or pleads guilty is two years.

After his court appearance Wednesday, Hanson denied to reporters that he offered to pay the interest on a woman’s car loan and forgive one loan payment in exchange for her participating in a sexual encounter with him. Hanson has not been charged with any sexual crime in this matter.

 

Previously…

Jamestown (CSi) A Jamestown man is facing 62 misdemeanor charges for alleged irregularities stemming from more than 90 contracts he made with customers.

The contracts involved financing vehicles or having repairs to vehicles at, Budget Auto Sales & Service in Jamestown.

Following the investigating by Jamestown Police, 44 year old Brian Lee Hanson, was charged Thursday in Southeast District Court in Jamestown with 31 counts of usury, a Class B misdemeanor, and 31 counts of violating the Truth in Lending Act, a Class A misdemeanor. Hanson is scheduled to appear in court at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday in Jamestown.

Hanson is free on bond. The maximum penalty for a Class A misdemeanor is one year in jail and a $3,000 fine. The maximum penalty for a Class B misdemeanor is 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.

Based on a police review of a woman’s contract, Sgt Thomas Nagel was able to obtain a search warrant for Budget Auto Sales & Service to obtain copies of other financing contracts Hanson had with other customers to either buy a vehicle or pay for vehicle repairs.

An alleged violation of the North Dakota usury law was that Hanson was charging a 10 percent monthly interest rate on the loan, which translates to a 120 percent annual interest rate. North Dakota usury law limits the annual interest rate on a loan to 5 1/2 percent as reflected by the average rate of interest payable on U.S. treasury bills maturing in six months.