WAUTOMA − The former Plainfield fire chief is facing felony charges after more than $100,000 was missing from the village.
Jeffrey M. Kessenich, 29, of Evansville, is charged with two felony counts of theft in a business setting of between $10,000 and $100,000 and one count of misdemeanor theft of less than $2,500. Kessenich currently is free in a $10,000 cash bond set March 20 by Waushara County Circuit Judge Guy Dutcher.
His initial appearance is scheduled for April 2.
Kessenich stole $112,157 from the village of Plainfield during his time as fire chief, according to a news release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice. He stole the money to make personal purchases, according to the news release.
Kessenich made unauthorized purchases and unauthorized reimbursements to himself. He misappropriated money by moving between different Plainfield Fire Department accounts to cover up the fraud, according to the news release.
The village of Plainfield Police Department helped in the investigation. The Waushara County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
Contact Karen Madden kmadden@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33
This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Former Plainfield fire chief accused of stealing $112,157 from village
Reporting by Karen Madden, USA TODAY NETWORK – Wisconsin / Stevens Point Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
