SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The owner of a campground cited for posing as a sheriff’s deputy did not show up for court Wednesday, so the judge entered a conviction against her.
Ann Retzlaff had been issued a citation for unlawful use of a telephone. With no appearance for the hearing, Judge Katherine Sloma ordered a default judgment for $263.50, court records show.
In a police report obtained by FOX 11 from the sheriff’s department, a person called the department stating they had a phone recording of someone claiming to be a Shawano County deputy. The caller wanted to verify that the phone call was indeed from the department, as the voicemail was sent from the number to Annie’s Campground.
The sheriff’s department then obtained the recorded voicemail from the caller.
After reviewing the message deputies contacted Annie’s Campground, where they state Retzlaff admitted to posing as a deputy.
In the phone call Retzlaff made, she told the complainant to stop contacting the business or that they would face charges.
“I understand what I did was wrong and I won’t do that again… I am frustrated and emotionally exhausted from all the haters… it is hard enough working with what I have right now to stay functional. I do have a list of more harassers that I will print off and bring in. They are jamming all of my business lines, emails, messenger, Facebook posts and private messages where I can’t get to my real customers who are trying to get through to make reservations or ask questions,” the report quotes Retzlaff.
The complainant had called Annie’s Campground because they were concerned about posts made from the campground’s Facebook account in regards to COVID-19. Retzlaff did not report the calls to police.
The campground came under criticism when it remained open early on in the coronavirus pandemic. It was not required to close when the state’s “safer at home” order was in effect.
Comments