An 81-year-old man from the town of Nasewaupee was convicted this month in Door County Circuit Court on multiple felony fraud-related charges dating back to last June. Dale Forrest Pautsch was found guilty on 15 felony counts, including Theft from a Business Setting and Money Laundering.
After a ten-month investigation, the Door County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Sturgeon Bay Police Department, uncovered a large-scale theft and money laundering operation. Twenty-three victims were identified during the investigation, with a total combined loss of $1,138,000.
During the investigation, Pautsch’s property was seized. It consisted of a business in the town of Gardner, a house and rental properties in Nasewaupee, two vehicles, a UTV, jewelry, and approximately $160,000.
The Door County District Attorney’s Office and the Door County Sheriff’s Office are selling and liquidating the seized property as part of a court agreement. The proceeds from the liquidation will be used to cover restitution for the victims.
Pautsch is being held in the Door County Jail and awaits a sentencing hearing on May 29.
