LETTER: Perseverence pays off for town of Wascott

To the Telegram:

Wascott taxpayers never gave up. In September 2012, the remaining $22,426 in misappropriated funds was recovered for the town, in addition to the $50,000 recovered in 2010 from the bond insurer.

A request by electors at the annual meeting in April 2012 to the town board asking the town to take action in this matter was never acted on.

Thank you to the 40 taxpayers who signed my letter to Judge Thimm in late August requesting the court’s help in getting District Attorney Dan Blank to file charges in the case of misconduct and misappropriations by Wascott officials in the years 2001-2008. The DA has yet to act, but thanks to Judge Thimm restitution deposited with the Douglas County Clerk of Courts has been released to the town by the would-be defendant’s attorney.

The check for $22,426 will provide financial relief to the town board as they prepare next year’s budget and should allow the board to hold the line on the tax levy.

For those who are new to this ongoing saga, the embezzlement in Wascott came to taxpayers attention in 2008 when interested citizens started questioning town financial practices, lack of legal audits, and the town’s practices, which were explained as “we do things are own way” rather than following statutory requirements for towns. Taxpayer efforts can make a difference.

Janice Newsome,

Wascott taxpayer

Tags: opinion, letters