(WAUPUN) Nearly $39,000 meant to support downtown Waupun may have instead gone toward personal expenses, according to a months-long police investigation that led to criminal charges this month.
Waupun police say they began looking into Waupun Downtown Promotions, Inc. in November after a complaint raised concerns about unexplained financial activity within the nonprofit. The organization’s board president was suspected of making unauthorized transactions that may have stretched back three or more years.
Investigators say the inquiry expanded after a bank flagged irregular activity tied to the nonprofit’s accounts. Detectives reviewed years of bank records, financial documents and witness statements to track how the money was used.
The Dodge County District Attorney’s Office filed charges Jan. 6, including theft in a business setting and unauthorized use of an entity’s identifying information. Police estimate the total value involved at about $38,947.50.
According to investigators, organizational funds were allegedly used for personal expenses and withdrawals without approval from the nonprofit’s governing board.
The investigation was conducted independently by the Waupun Police Department.
