Wisconsin fire chief Christopher Thomson avoided prison despite embezzling over $100,000 from the department he led, as the judge chose restitution over punishment in a controversial ruling that has raised eyebrows across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Former Lakewood Fire Chief Christopher Thomson was sentenced to six years probation with one year conditional jail time after embezzling over $100,000 from the nonprofit fire association.
- Thomson must pay $128,339.49 in restitution for 231 unauthorized transactions over four years while serving as both fire chief and treasurer.
- Judge Michael Judge reluctantly chose probation over prison to ensure the fire department would receive restitution payments, stating “If I send him to prison, there’s no acceptance of accountability.”
- Thomson pleaded no contest to seven counts including identity theft, theft in a business setting, and forgery, facing a four-year prison term if probation is violated.
- Current Fire Chief Eric Johnson stated that Thomson’s actions damaged community trust and likely involved more theft than was officially reported.
Theft Over Years Shows Pattern of Deception
Former Lakewood Fire Chief Christopher Thomson demonstrated a calculated pattern of deception while embezzling from the very department he was entrusted to lead. As both fire chief and treasurer of the Lakewood Fire Department Association from 2020 to 2024, Thomson engaged in 231 unauthorized transactions, converting $111,327.49 of association funds for personal use. These funds were collected through community donations and fundraising efforts intended to support local emergency services. Initial investigations uncovered 11 checks cashed by Thomson or his wife totaling $6,606.80, with what the criminal complaint described as completely fictitious memos.
“The memos written on the checks in the respective blanks were completely fictitious and not valid reasons to issue the checks,” according to the criminal complaint.
Thomson’s scheme involved increasingly brazen theft over the years, with $18,874.96 taken in 2021, $25,557.09 in 2022, and a staggering $39,266.38 in 2023. He falsified financial reports for all three years to conceal his systematic diversion of funds. When confronted, Thomson initially claimed to have taken only $5,000, then later admitted to police it was closer to $20,000, showing a pattern of minimizing his crimes even after being caught. Investigators discovered payments for personal expenses like cell phone bills and vehicle payments using association funds.
Judge’s Controversial Sentencing Decision
Oconto County Circuit Court Judge Michael Judge faced a dilemma during sentencing that ultimately led to a controversial decision. Despite stating that Thomson deserved prison time for his extensive theft from the volunteer fire department, Judge ultimately chose probation with conditional jail time to ensure the fire department would receive financial restitution. This decision highlights a troubling pattern we see in our justice system where white-collar criminals often avoid the harsh penalties faced by others, raising questions about equal application of justice.
“This man should go to prison, If I send him to prison, there’s no acceptance of accountability or responsibility to at least begin some payments to the association. Therefore, reluctantly, this court will find that probation would not depreciate the offenses that occurred over hundreds of times,” said Judge Michael Judge.
Thomson was sentenced to six years of probation with one year of conditional jail time after pleading no contest to seven counts, including identity theft, theft in a business setting, and forgery. He must pay $128,339.49 in restitution to the association, is prohibited from holding any position involving bookkeeping, and faces a four-year prison term if he violates probation terms. The sentence has sparked debate about whether justice is truly served when financial restitution is prioritized over incarceration for serious breaches of public trust.
Betrayal of Community Trust
The embezzlement case has shattered trust within the Lakewood community, which relied on their volunteer fire department for both emergency services and responsible stewardship of donated funds. Current Lakewood Fire Chief Eric Johnson expressed deep concern about Thomson’s violation of community trust, suggesting the actual theft may exceed what has been officially documented. Johnson, who worked alongside Thomson in fundraising efforts, implied that additional funds may have been stolen directly from community donations before they were officially recorded.
“It wasn’t something that was a single transaction. It spanned years, and obviously this kind of coming out to the community, it is a violation of trust, And it’s a violation of the faith that the members of the community placed in the department to make good use of their contributions,” said Hannah Schuchart.
Thomson’s self-serving explanation that he stole due to financial pressures rings hollow given the systematic nature of his theft over four years. In court, he claimed, “I wish I would have just asked my family for help instead, I was too embarrassed to ask for help, and this is why I’m here today.” However, as of November 13, 2024, Thomson had not returned any of the stolen money or financial documents, raising questions about his genuine remorse and commitment to making the department whole. His actions have not only stolen funds but also damaged essential community bonds that volunteer fire departments rely upon.
