By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
The former Tichigan Volunteer Fire Co. chief who resigned last winter has been criminally charged in Racine County Circuit Court for allegedly stealing from the department.
Todd Bluhm, who had been being investigated by the Racine County Sheriff’s Department since at least December, was formally charged Aug. 19 with felony theft in a business setting of more than $10,000 and identity theft to obtain money or credit, as well as misconduct in office–acting in excess authority.
Bluhm is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. The status of the criminal complaint is marked “filed only” in the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access System.
According to the criminal complaint, Bluhm allegedly met with investigators and admitted to the following:
- Auto repairs made to his 2002 Ford Excursion that were billed as repairs for various fire department vehicles.
- Using department funds to pay for personal cell phones.
- Using a department debit card to pay for hotel rooms used for a family vacation.
- Paying for upgrades to his personal vehicle and medical equipment converted to personal use.
- Using Citgo credit cards to fill personal vehicles with gas.
- Fraudulent reimbursement requests that included a Garmin GPS and other medical-related items that were either previously reimbursed or were personal items.
- Purchasing several items from Somar Tek, LLC, for personal use.
Bluhm chose not to seek re-election to his Washington-Caldwell School Board position this spring, and currently resides in Mukwonago.
Last winter, the fire company was working on a new board and a financial checks-and-balances system, but Town of Waterford Chairman Tom Hincz said at the time that moving forward would depend on if and when Bluhm was charged.
Hincz did not return a phone call Tuesday requesting an update on the situation.
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Our town leaders have really let us down again! Who from the Town Board was failed at their due diligence responsibilities? The town gave the fire department tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars a year and failed at making the fire department accountable for those funds. Where are/were the checks and balances so that this clown couldn’t rob the taxpayers blind for years! It is time for a leadership change on the Town Board! We need representatives who will look out for the best interest of the taxpayers, not turn over $50,000 a year and wipe their hands clean and never give it another thought! These are the questions the taxpayers are asking. So far we don’t have answers!
Would you comment on 20 grand getting stolen right under your nose? Pathetic failure. Unbelievable the village wants to contract a public service with them!!! What next?!?
I’ll bet it’s more like 100 grand given to them every year for fire services…
i see Hincz continues to stick his head in the sand. we need a town board that is accountable to the town citizans and our hard earned tax dollars.