Police complaints filed against former O-W Enterprise employees Editor’s Note: Due to the newspaper’s involvement and so that the newspaper remains unbiased in this story, the police complaint report below by Chief of Police Andrew Schade is unedited, except for the removal of independent witness names to protect their identities. O-W Enterprise/Company Store Fitness Missing Funds Case On 03/27/2014, at approximately 2:33 PM, I, Chief of Police Andrew Schade of the Owen Police Department met with Nathan LePage to discuss alleged missing funds from his business and suspicious activity during the last year involving former employees of the O-W Enterprise newspaper located at 200 W. 3rd Street, Owen, WI. At this same time, I also met with a female customer to discuss an issue with her gym membership at the Company Store Fitness (CSF), 200 W. 3rd Street, Owen, WI 54460, which was brought to my atten-tion by Nathan LePage and related to the alleged missing funds. In addition, interviews were conducted with several other parties concluding on 04/17/2014. Interview with Nathan LePage On 03/27/2014, I spoke with Nathan LePage about alleged missing funds from his business over the last year and suspicious activity by former employees. I spoke with Nathan again on 04/04/2014 in regards to the investigation. On 03/27/2014, Nathan advised me that there was an issue with a current (female) gym member. Nathan advised that the female member paid for her membership on 01/09/2014 in cash ($87.00) and gave that cash payment to Travis Rogers Jr. in the form of $100.00. Nathan stated that this money was never deposited into his account. Nathan provided documentation based on these allegations. In addition, Nathan stated that a local business owner had given Travis Rogers Jr. a payment of $150.00 in cash for payment on her advertising bill. Nathan stated these funds again were not deposited into the account of the O-W Enterprise. Nathan stated another instance of money that was given to Travis from a business had never been deposited, which was uncovered by Nathan. The owner of another local business had given Travis $20.00 for an ad to be placed in the paper. Nathan stated these funds have never been accounted for. Nathan supplied bank account paperwork, deposit slips, a written statement and financial documentation as evidence. Nathan stated that it may be a good idea to speak with the prior owner Mark Renderman in reference to the missing funds. Nathan stated that on March 1, 2014 he was informed by two females, who are gym members of the Company Store Fitness (which he owns) about some suspicious activity during the closed hours of the O-W Enterprise in Mid-February around the hours of 5:30 PM-5:45 PM. Nathan advised that the two females observed Judy Vollrath inside the O-W Enterprise with the lights shut off. The two females were able to observe Judy in this area as the entire office area is viewable from the gym (this is due to the entire south, north and west walls of the gym being windows). The two females stated to Nathan they saw Judy digging in a drawer at the first desk in the office when you walk into the doorway. The two females stated they knew that the drawer Judy was digging in was the Petty Cash drawer of the business; however, they did not observe Judy take anything out of the drawer. I did obtain a signed written statement from the two females based on their account of what occurred on this evening. Nathan stated that in the last year (2013), funds started disappearing in February of 2013, out of the Petty Cash/Cash on Hand fund. Nathan stated when he reconciled the Petty cash in February of 2013 there was $40.00 missing. Nathan stated that reconciling this fund is typically done monthly and at times being off $1.00 or $2.00 is not unusual; however, $40.00 was substantial according to Nathan. Nathan stated he rechecked his calcula-tions and did an audit of this fund but the money was still not accounted for. At this time, Nathan stated he informed Mark Renderman and the current employees of the business including but not limited to Travis Rogers Jr. and Judy Vollrath. In April of 2013, Nathan found $231.55 missing from the Petty Cash fund. Again, Nathan reex-amined everything but once again the money was missing. Nathan alerted Mark Renderman and the current employees about the missing funds. In May of 2013, again missing funds were caught by Nathan. Nathan found that $140.71 was missing from the Petty Cash after reconciliation. Once again, Nathan alerted the employees and owner. In July of 2013, Nathan stated the Petty Cash was $107.94 short. Once again, Nathan took the same steps to check and notify parties of the missing funds. In December of 2013, the Petty Cash was counted and $46.05 was missing. In the evening of January 15, 2014, Nathan stated he counted the Petty Cash prior to the next business day. Nathan stated he did this to see if funds would be missing at the end of the next day. On evening of January 16, 2014, Nathan recon-ciled the Petty Cash after Travis Rogers Jr. was the only person working that day. Nathan confirmed Travis was the only person working by the key card and camera system for the business. Nathan found that $40.00 was missing from the Petty Cash drawer. It was suspected by Nathan at this point that Travis Rogers Jr. may be a person of interest in the missing funds from the Petty Cash drawer at the O-W Enterprise. Nathan informed Mark Renderman of his findings On the evening of January 22, 2014, Nathan reconciled the Petty Cash and still found that there was $40.00 in missing funds. On January 23, 2014, Nathan stated he counted the Petty Cash as Travis was working alone on this day. Nathan found $100.00 missing from the Petty Cash fund. Nathan stated that each time the Petty Cash was off he would write a check from the Company Store Fitness to cover the funds. Nathan stated the total amount of missing money is estimated at $1,000.00. Nathan supplied the Owen Police Department with copies of bank statements and financial records showing the missing funds and inaccurate records kept by prior employees. On April 4, 2014, Nathan stated that since the former employees are no longer at the O-W Enterprise the Petty Cash has been reconciled without issue. Interview with Female CSF Member I asked the female CSF member to tell me about the issue(s) with her membership. Julie stated that on 01/09/2014, she met with Travis Rogers Jr. (former employee) at the O-W Enterprise/Company Store Fitness to sign up for a gym membership. Julie stated she prepaid for three month of her membership and decided to pay in cash. Julie stated she gave Travis a $100.00 bill for the cost of the membership, which was $87.00. Julie stated she received back $13.00 in cash. Julie stated she received a written receipt for payment but did not obtain a contract (I obtained a copy of the original receipt as evidence). The female member stated at a later point she came to the Company Store Fitness office several times to give Travis Rogers Jr. her bank card (debit card) for her membership dues and obtain her contract. Travis stated he needed to ‘find’ the contract and he appeared busy; she was never able to give or obtain this information from Travis. In early March 2014, the female member stated she came into the Company Store Fitness center and observed owner Nathan LePage in the office of the O-W Enterprise. The female member stated she asked Nathan about her membership. She stated Nathan could not find her contract or billing information, and was confused as to why she was not in the system. A few days later, Nathan asked the female member if she could stop at the office to speak with him. Nathan advised her that her membership date was incorrect and her contract was nonexistent. The female member said Nathan told her she was not entered into the billing system and her electronic key card expiration was set for one year out. At this time, Nathan had the female member fill out a new contract, which she obtained a copy of. Nathan also waived the $20 card fee that was not acquired by Travis Rogers Jr. when the female member signed up for the membership. Interview with Local Business Owner On March 27, 2014, at approximately 3:30 PM, I spoke with a local business owner about an issue with the ads she ran in the O-W Enterprise for her business. The female business owner stated that in November of 2013 Travis Rogers Jr. came into her business and she gave him $150.00 in cash in an envelope for her monthly ad. This cash was to be deposit in the account of the O-W Enterprise to be put against her bill there. Travis stated he would bring the business owner back a receipt for the ad later; however, Travis never gave her a receipt at any point. In March 2014, the business owner found out from Nathan that the funds she gave Travis Rogers Jr. were not applied to her account. Interview with Travis Rogers Jr. On March 31, 2014, at approximately 4:00 PM, I spoke with Travis Rogers Jr. at the corner of 4th Street and Central Avenue in Owen, WI. I asked Travis if he would be willing to speak with me in regards to a complaint I received. Travis stated he would speak with me. I told Travis there was an issue with a female gym member at the Company Store Fitness Center. I advised Travis this member paid him in cash and the money was missing from the Company Store Fitness account. I advised Travis a receipt was given to the female member; however, a copy of this receipt was never given to Company Store Fitness. I advised Travis that the contract was not given to the female member either. Travis stated that the funds were put into the Petty Cash drawer and the paperwork in the basket for Nathan. Travis stated the female member gave him a $100.00 bill and he gave her $13.00 back in change from the Petty Cash. This correlates with the cost the female member told me about in her interview. I told Travis that there has been money missing from the Petty Cash over the last year and several times Nathan counted this fund before and after people were working at the fund came up short on more than one occasion. Travis stated that Nathan accused former employees of stealing funds and he reported this to Mark Renderman. I told Travis that based on the information I obtained in this investigation, the evidence would suggest to a reasonable person that something was definitely going on in relation to the missing funds in Petty Cash fund. I told Travis that I have evidence and I was going to examine this evidence after speaking with everyone involved in this case and advise him of how things were going to move forward. I told Travis there was also an issue with missing funds that were given to him from a local business owner. I advised Travis the business owner stated she gave Travis $150.00; however, these funds were never deposited into her account. Travis stated he did not remember receiving these funds as most people (businesses) make a payment with a check for any ads. I asked Travis why someone would make this up as this is right from the business owner; Travis stated he did not know. Interview with Judy Vollrath On April 11, 2014, at approximately 3:30 PM, I spoke with Judy Vollrath on N. Central Avenue in Owen, WI outside in the 200 Block. I advised Judy that I wanted to ask her some questions about a complaint I was given. I told Judy she did not have to answer any questions if she did not want to. Judy said she would speak with me. I told Judy in mid-February of 2014, she was seen by two gym members around 5:30-5:45 PM, in the dark, in the office area of the O-W Enterprise. Judy denied being in the office. I then advised Judy the key card print out places her in the office during that approximate time in mid-February. I advised Judy the gym members stated they observed her in the dark digging through a drawer. Judy denied these allegations. Judy stated at times she went back in the office to make sure things were shut off and locked up. I stated to Judy money had been missing from the Petty Cash drawer over the past year so that is why I am making contact with her. Judy advised Travis told her about my contact with him also. Judy denied ever taking money from the Petty Cash drawer. Interview with Mark Renderman On 04/17/2014, at approximately 6:30 PM, I spoke with Mark Renderman about the O-W Enterprise finances over the past couple of years when he owned the business. Mark stated that he was the former owner of the O-W Enterprise with Mark Gorke. Mark stated when they bought the paper they bought it to make sure it stayed a part of the Owen-Withee community. Mark stated that historically speaking, it ap-peared there were issues with the finances in the last year; however, both owners were not able to confirm or pinpoint what the issues were related to. Mark did confirm that alleged issues did exist at his former business in relation to financial dilemmas. Mark confirmed he was alerted to these issues by Nathan LePage. Mark stated that he and his business partner had put $30,000 into the business over the past year to keep the business running. Mark stated this placed a burden on both owners. Mark stated running a paper and being successful can be a demanding job. Mark confirmed that the business was sold to Nathan LePage in February 2014. Mark stated Nathan was a former employee of the paper when he purchased it. Mark also stated that Travis Rogers Jr. and Judy Vollrath were employed at the paper when it was owned by him. Mark stated that in May-June of 2014 he is going to have his accountant go over the books from his prior business and if there are any issues with anything he would let me know. Evidence Examination Nathan LePage provided financial documents, deposit tickets and access card scan reports from his business along with a written statement of his complaint. I also gathered written statements from several parties I questioned. I did a preliminary examination of the evidence and the interviews of the parties involved in this case along with my report. I contacted the Clark County Sheriff’s Office in regards to this complaint and to possibly request assistance in this financial investigation as our resources are limited. I was advised by the Sheriff’s Office that they would assist me if need be; however, they would not take over the case. I was advised that the best course of action was to have a forensic audit done of the business finances. This type of audit would certainly identify, corroborate, prove and/or disprove the evidence I obtained. Based on the input from Clark County, I contact-ed Nathan LePage. I advised Nathan of the conversation with the Sheriff’s Office. I advised Nathan that for our department to thoroughly look into these matters and to successfully prosecute anyone involved, a forensic audit would need to be performed. Due to the extensive cost of this audit Nathan stated he was not in a position to have this done at this point. Nathan also stated due to the $1,000.00 in missing funds the audit would likely not be cost effective for him. I advised Nathan I would then compile my re-ports and close the case at this point based on this discussion. I advised Nathan at a later point this case could be reopened. Conclusion At this point, this investigation is for record only. A copy of this report and investigation has been given to Nathan LePage. Chief of Police Andrew Schade Owen Police Department 04/17/2014
Posted on: Wed, 07 May 2014 15:03:02 +0000
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