Former NIC aid director waives hearing

Former North Idaho College financial aid director Joseph M. Bekken, who faces felony charges in his alleged scheme to entice students to have sex in exchange for college aid, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Bekken was in court this morning for a status conference before 1st District Judge Robert Caldwell. His attorney, Sean Walsh, told Caldwell the reason for the waiver had been filed under seal with the court. The preliminary hearing had been scheduled for this Thursday. The case will proceed in District Court with Judge Lansing Haynes presiding. Bekken was arrested Feb. 18 and charged with five felonies, including attempting to procure a prostitute, attempting to misuse public money and bribery using scholarship money from NIC’s private nonprofit foundation. He allegedly used a Craigslist notice to contact students with an offer of scholarship money in exchange for sexual relations.