Summary:
- The two individuals gambled at Potawatomi Casino.
- City equipment was sold to pay for gambling sessions.
- The instances took place from June 2022 to September 2022.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for an employee to steal from an employer, so the hiring process can be quite strenuous based on the industry.
In state of Wisconsin, two former members of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works have most likely made the hiring process a little more difficult after pleading guilty to stealing city equipment and using the money earned to gamble.
Plea Agreement Reached
Kyle Hepp and Kelly Whitmore-Behling both pled guilty this week to stealing city equipment and selling it for a profit. The money generated from the stolen equipment was used to gamble at the Potawatomi Casino. The casino was the hot spot for the pair, where they used the bulk of the money gained from the scheme.
Each individual in the case was charged with a conspiracy to commit theft and theft from a federally funded program. Both could face as many as 15 years in prison for their crimes. As much as $357,511 may be forfeited to pay restitution costs.
The court records showed that the two sold city equipment from June 2022 to September 2022. They would sell vehicles and equipment to family and friends for far lower than market value.
The money generated was deposited into the city, and they kept the excess cash. Fake bills of sale were created to make the deposits to the city. As much as $100,000 was embezzled between the two.
Caught in the Act
The defendants may have gotten away with their scheme if they were not caught in the act. After the Public Works department caught on, police were alerted to the behavior of the employees. Both have been fired, and the city has made no comments, pending litigation.
According to the court records, Hepp contacted a single individual several times to purchase equipment and vehicles. This third individual, who was not employed by the city, was contacted at least 74 times and purchased as many items from the duo.
On several weekends, the assailants removed loads of equipment, and the individual who was often contacted would drive the items away. After they were purchased, they would be resold for a much larger amount.
The third person involved in the scheme has not been named in the court records. It is also unclear just how much the duo played on casino games and lost due to the ill-gained funds. More information on these points may be provided to the public in the future.
About the Author
