SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Embattled campground owner Ann Retzlaff pleaded not guilty Monday to multiple criminal charges. Meanwhile, a separate civil case continues to move towards the possible sale of her campground — which was almost shut down by the state.
Retzlaff represented herself in two felony files: recklessly endangering safety charges related to a May 15, 2021, traffic stop, and disorderly conduct and bail jumping charges for an April 20 arrest on warrants related to her skipping court on the first charges.
Retzlaff owns Annie’s Campground, near Gresham. At various stages of interactions with police and courts, and again on Monday, she has claimed to be a “sovereign citizen,” objecting to the jurisdiction of police or the courts.
Retzlaff objected to a “jury trial” and insisted on a “trial by jury” under common law. Marathon County Judge Michael Moran asked for an explanation of the difference but she did not offer one during the hearing. He entered the not guilty pleas based on her desire for a trial.
A pre-trial conference and jury trial will be scheduled, but no dates were selected during the hearing.
Judge Moran also denied another request to reduce her $15,000 cash bond, which she has been unable to post.
Separate from the criminal cases, Bank First initiated a civil action regarding the $1.5 million worth of mortgages on the campground properties. A receiver was appointed to manage the property.
According to an 8-page report by the receiver obtained by FOX 11, the campground failed multiple state inspections and had lost its seller’s permit.
“Upon his appointment, the Receiver discovered the campground had deferred maintenance and was unprepared for the upcoming peak season of camping. The grass had not been mowed and the premises was overgrown with weeds. The swimming ponds on the premises had not been treated. Only one of the twelve cabins was suitable to rent, and two of the cabins were being occupied by squatters. Internet and phone services had been terminated due to nonpayment. Likewise, the main utilities meter had been disconnected for nonpayment. The camp store and bar were jam-packed with trash and other junk, and the kitchen equipment in the restaurant had not been properly shut down last fall. Moreover, the campground had a limited number of staff to assist with operations. In short, the campground presented a health and safety risk to campers and visitors,” the report states. “Due to the receivership, DATCP has allowed the Receiver additional time to remedy the violations and continue operations. The Receiver is working diligently to remedy these violations so that Annie’s Campground can pass the next inspection.”
In addition, the campground’s liquor license was set to expire June 30, and would have not have been renewed because the campground failed to pay taxes in 2020 and 2021. The $25,000-plus in overdue taxes were paid, and the license renewal is pending.
Some services — internet, phone, utilities — have been restored. However, other issues remain with the financial records.
“Annie’s Campground has not filed federal and state income tax returns since December 31, 2019. There are no books and records for the business and no financial statements have been prepared. Initial appearances suggest the owner of Annie’s Campground may have been retaining funds belonging to the business. There are no cash receipts and there are reports that some campers paid season fees with cash and checks written out to the owner personally. The Receiver is still investigating these potential claims,” the report states.
That said, the receiver reports progress.
“The appointment of a receiver of Annie’s Campground came not a moment too soon. Within days of the Receiver’s appointment, two different state agencies were prepared to shut down the campground for separate reasons. Due to the receivership, these agencies have granted the Receiver extensions to remedy the noncompliance issues while continuing to operate. Accordingly, in a short period of time, the Receiver and Mr. Fritsch have stabilized operations, remedied numerous violations that affect the health and safety of the campground, and prepared the campground for the summer season of camping. Seasonal campers have been cooperative and excited about the work being performed on the campground. As a result, the Receiver expects an increase in seasonal campers and, in turn, an increase in short-term revenue. The Receiver will continue to periodically update the court regarding the status of this receivership and will let the Court know of any significant changes or corrections to this report,” it states.
In court Monday, a July 11 hearing was scheduled, at which time a sale of the campground could be ordered, court records show.
Retzlaff is not listed in court records as attending the receivership hearing. Her arraignment was happening at the same time in a different courtroom. Court records list the campground corporation as a party to the civil case, but not Retzlaff individually.
In the case the arrest warrant was issued for, police tried to pull Retzlaff over for failure to stop at a traffic light on May 15, but she did not pull over, the complaint states. Eventually, traffic stop spikes were deployed, flattening her tires, and the vehicle stopped. An officer advised her to get out of the vehicle.
“She stated she did not do anything wrong, and she was being wrongfully stopped. She stated she is a sovereign citizen and will not step out of the vehicle,” the complaint states.
A deputy tried to pry a vehicle door open when Retzlaff put the vehicle in gear to drive away. Two deputies had to move out of the way to avoid being hit by the vehicle, it states.
The vehicle was stopped a second time. A deputy “broke the driver window with his baton. The door was then opened, and Ann was taken from the vehicle and escorted to the ground. She was secured in handcuffs,” the complaint states.
Retzlaff told police she was rescuing an employee from sex traffickers, which is why she didn’t stop for police, and maintained she didn’t do anything wrong.
She has filed federal lawsuits against the officers involved in her arrest.
The federal suits repeat the claim that she was called by an employee to rescue her from sex traffickers, and when she got too close to the house, deputies arrested her.
When she was arrested on warrants for not showing up in court on the original case, she allegedly was confrontational with officers.
Retzlaff has been in trouble with the law before. In 2020, she was ticketed for unlawful use of a telephone for posing as a Shawano County sheriff’s deputy. Her campground also came under fire earlier that year for ignoring protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19.
For her November court hearing, Retzlaff sent multiple messages to the court, arguing she feared appearing in court due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and asserting the court did not have jurisdiction over her. Judge William Kussel rejected the arguments as improperly filed, and noting they did not cite any proper legal authority.
