Keewatin, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Keewatin Mayor Michael Labine has been accused of stealing thousands of dollars in water services from the city he leads.

He’s facing three charges, two of which are felony theft, which could both cost him up to $10,000, five years in prison, or both.

Resident of Keewatin and Labine’s fiancé Becky, who did not share her last name to protect the privacy of her family, says the claims aren’t true.

“It is nothing more than, as Trump would say, a witch hunt, and it’s fake news,” said Becky.

The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation about a year ago after a former city employee reported Labine was stealing water.

She claims Labine had been using a key he had from his time as a street crew supervisor for the city to turn water on his pro

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