Casper City Council Approves Reeves Hiring

The city of Casper has hired another area lawyer to conduct its conflict of interest investigation into city councilor Craig Hedquist.

Casper City Council agreed to retain Wes Reeves as alternate legal counsel for the city on Tuesday. Councilors voted 8-0 in favor of the hiring with Hedquist acting as the lone abstention.

Reeves will be tasked with drafting a report on whether Hedquist, a local road construction company owner who works regularly with the city, violated conflict of interest laws following recent complaints about Hedquist’s behavior.

Hedquist allegedly had a profane altercation with city engineer Andrew Beamer about compensation for additional work done by his company during a September construction progress meeting.

Hedquist, according to a report released by local firm Dixon & Dixon, asked Beamer if he was “… f---ing going to stand up, b---h? Are you going to start paying?” and shot Beamer a “challenging type of look” during the altercation.

Beamer, according to the report, recorded the meeting.

Kathleen Dixon, a former city councilor who drafted the initial report, said Hedquist committed a type of workplace violence during the alleged altercation. Hedquist has since been asked to alter how he communicates with city employees.

Dixon was initially tabbed to conduct the second investigation, but stepped away after Hedquist lawyers raised conflict of interest concerns. She recommended that the city hire Reeves to replace her.

Reeves will charge the city $225 per hour, while Reeves’ partner, Anna Reeves Olson, will charge $180 per hour. Reeves will charge an hourly rate of $80 for work done by paralegals.

Hedquist faces possible removal from city council.