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Bekken gets jail time

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Bekken gets jail time

The court finds an answer to NIC’s sex scandal

Former NIC Financial Aid Director Joseph Bekken, 36, was sentenced to 107 days in jail along with three years of supervised probation. He was imposed a $10,000 fine and also has to pay $2,400 to NIC in restitution.
In his statement to the court Bekken apologized to the taxpayers, community, students and his family.
“I would like to come out and say that I am a sex addict,” Bekken said. “It’s not an excuse for my actions, it’s a part of me, of who I am.”
Bekken said he has been going to “intense therapy” for his sex addiction and that he has begun to rebuild his life.
Bekken was arrested last February after he was caught soliciting sex from students in exchange for financial aid in a post on Craigslist in the casual encounter section. He was originally charged with five felonies but took a plea deal.
He pleaded guilty to two felonies; attempted misuse of public funds and the use of a computer in a scheme to defraud.
Bekken attempted the solicitation 20 times over a year and he also paid a 24-year-old female NIC student $2,400 in exchange for sexual photos.
Kootenai County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jed Whitaker didn’t agree with the sentence. He argued that a five-year-prison would be more appropriate because Bekken took money from the public and used it for illicit purposes.
Bekken will be allowed to work during his jail term, leaving each day for his job and returning to jail each night.
“While this is a huge price to pay for a clear conscience I can stand here today with nothing to hide and I have the opportunity to stand here exposed and move forward with my life.” Bekken said.

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