SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A treasurer for the Pella Fire Department was convicted Thursday of stealing from the organization.
Lyle Krueger, 47, pleaded no contest to one count of theft in a business setting. A count of misconduct in office was dismissed.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 26.
According to the criminal complaint, Krueger managed the department’s fund from home. He admitted to taking the funds – more than $20,000, according to the criminal complaint -and had not paid any of it back.
“Krueger stated that there was no victim for this crime as the Town of Pella would pay simply step up to pay the bills of the Pella Fire Department (to offset the funds he had taken),” the complaint states. “Krueger that this all started when he became injured and was laid off of work. Krueger said he needed money so he would not lose his house and all he had worked for.”
There were also ‘questionable withdrawals’ at the casinos in the area, the complaint said. The judge previously ordered him not to have contact with any casinos as a condition of bond.
The thefts happened between October 2018 and August 2019. The fire chief noticed irregularities in the finances and notified the sheriff’s department, the complaint says.
