Man suspected of bypassing meters pays city $110,000
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque mobile home park owner accused of bypassing water meters to save thousands of dollars has been sentenced to two years of probation.
The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that Michael Friederick paid the city $110,000 in restitution before sentencing. He'd entered an Alford plea to a charge of theft. In an Alford plea, a defendant doesn't admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a jury to reach a guilty verdict.
Friederick also was given a suspended jail sentence of 180 days.
Court records say city officials suspect Friederick opened a valve that let water bypass meters into lines for his Table Mound Mobile Home Park. The officials estimate more than 21.5 million gallons were taken.