BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. – Butte County has filed a lawsuit against a former Highway Department employee, alleging he received full wages while also collecting workers’ compensation benefits for several months.
According to court filings, the county claims former employee Kordell Stuen received workers’ compensation payments equal to about 66 percent of his regular wages from October 2025 through March 2026. During the same period, officials allege he also continued receiving his full county paycheck.
The county says the overlap resulted in more than 17-thousand-700 dollars in overpayments. Prosecutors contend Stuen was not working for the county while receiving the benefits.
County officials sent a letter in August requesting repayment of the money. The lawsuit now seeks recovery of the alleged overpayment, along with interest and legal costs.
The case was authorized by the Butte County Commission in October and is now moving through the civil court process.
