TWO RIVERS, Wis (WSAU-Wheeler News) Two men will spend a year in jail for stealing $216,000 in a scrap metal scheme at their employer in Two Rivers. 51-year old Jonathan Thompson of Manitowoc and 52-year-old Ricky Schmidt of Valders will get work-release privileges during their jail time. It’s part of a three-year probation term that both received yesterday in Manitowoc County. They must also pay restitution and perform 200 hours of community service.
Thompson and Schmidt struck plea deals which convicted them of two counts of filing fraudulent income tax returns. Thompson was a partial owner of Allstates Rigging, and Schmidt worked at the company — which disposes of heavy machinery and sells it for scrap for clients. Prosecutors said both men sold some items separately, and split the revenue. The thefts occurred for two-and-a-half years, ending in August of 2013.
