Sheboygan County v. Zimmermann
Sheboygan County v. Zimmermann
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff contends that the trial court erred in denying its motion for a directed verdict, in denying its motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, and in denying its motion for a new trial. In our view, only the denial of the plaintiff's motions to direct a verdict and for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, need be considered.
The sole question to be determined is whether, upon the undisputed evidence, the plaintiff is entitled to judgment against the defendants for the sum of $2,439.59.
The material facts are not in dispute. Commencing in 1917 and continuing down to January 2, 1933, with the exception of one term, the defendant Zimmermann continuously held the office of county treasurer of Sheboygan County. During his last term the defendant, Massachusetts Bonding & Insurance Company was the surety on his official bond. At the commencement of his last term, he had on hand, according to his books, a cash balance amounting to $108,304.40. Thereafter, during his said term, he charged himself with all receipts, except those hereinafter mentioned, and credited himself with all disbursements. At the end of each month a trial balance was taken which showed the amounts received and disbursed during that month, the amounts of moneys on deposit in the county depository banks, and the amount of cash on hand. It is undisputed that all of those trial balances were based upon the entries in his books. According to the December, 1932, trial balance, he had on hand and in the county depository banks, the sum of $122,208.14. At the end of his term a committee of the county board audited his books and found them to be in balance, and that he should account to his successor for the sum shown by his December trial balance. He turned over that amount to his successor. Thereafter his books were audited by the Wisconsin tax commission pursuant to the provisions of sec. 73.03 (14) (a), Stats. That audit was undertaken in the spring of 1933. The accountant in charge of the work circularized all income
In disposing of plaintiff’s motions after verdict, the court evidently was of the opinion that the books of the county treasurer and the report of the auditor of the tax commission did not agree, and that therefore a jury question existed as to whether the county treasurer’s books or the audit was correct. The court stated:
“Both are man made; therefore, both are subject to imperfections, making an issue of fact to be determined by the jury as to which of the two are correct.”
The opinion of the trial court was based upon a misconception of the facts. The county treasurer’s books and the auditor’s report did agree so far as entries of receipts found in the treasurer’s books were concerned, but the auditor’s report took into consideration the income tax collections and the bank credit which were concededly received by the treasurer, but never entered in his books. The county treasurer’s books obviously could evidence only the entries of the re
The defendants attempt to support the judgment on the ground that a committee of the county board audited Zim-mermann’s books and found them to' be correct and in balance. The members of the committee examined only the entries contained in.the books, and obviously considered only the receipts and disbursements listed therein. The balance shown by the books corresponded with the cash in bank and the cash on hand, and to that extent the books were correct and in perfect balance. The members of the auditing committee made no investigation as to moneys collected or received by Zimmermann which he did not enter in his books. Clearly, that audit in no way binds the county. As was said in Cady v. Bailey, 95 Wis. 370, 70 N. W. 285:
“The law applicable to settlements between private parties does not apply to settlements between a public corporation and its officers, respecting the handling by the látter of public money. Notwithstanding such settlements, if such officers, by a mistake or otherwise, wrongfully retain public money in their hands, they may be proceeded against therefor at any time thereafter, upon discovery of the facts, within the period of the statute of limitations. Throop, Pub. Off. §§ 280-283; Otsego Lake v. Kristen, 72 Mich. 1; Palo Alto Co. v. Burlingame, 71 Iowa, 201; Boardman v. Flagg, 70 Mich. 372; Sexton v. Richland County, 27 Wis. 349.”
By the Court. — Judgment reversed, and cause remanded with directions to enter judgment in favor of the plaintiff for the amount claimed, together with interest.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Sheboygan County v. Zimmermann and another
- Status
- Published