Ripon Fire Chief Tim Saul provides an update on storm damage and cleanup efforts in the city July 29, 2021. PC: Fox 11 Online
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Former Ripon Area Fire District Chief Timothy Saul was charged Tuesday with three counts of financial fraud for allegedly using a city credit card for personal expenses.
Saul, 56, is expected to make an initial appearance on Dec. 23. There are three misdemeanor counts of “financial transaction card – use to defraud” dating back to purchases in 2016.
“The matter is anticipated to resolve at the initial appearance with a sentencing,” said District Attorney Eric Toney.
According to the criminal complaint, a review of fire district finances was initiated.
RAFD President Ellen “Sorensen learned that there might be another RAFD credit card and it was being used by Fire Chief Tim Saul, the defendant, during his time as the Fire Chief of the RAFD. This credit card was confirmed to exist and was issued through the RAFD to the defendant while he was the RAFD Fire Chief,” the complaint states. “President Sorensen and the RAFD attorney, Jim Macy met with the defendant, Fire Chief Tim Saul, in November of 2022 to inquire about the RAFD credit card assigned to the defendant. During that meeting they requested five years of detailed statements for the credit card. President Sorensen then learned shortly after this meeting that RAFD Fire Chief Tim Saul resigned from his position as RAFD Fire Chief.”
Although there were legitimate purchases, there were “specific payments that stood out as clearly not being RAFD purchases.”
Those included nine Alliant Energy bills, eleven Charter Communications bills, the Chicago Cubs, and a variety of hotels – including two Wisconsin Dells waterparks.
Saul admitted to using the card, and eventually paid off the bill.
“The defendant was going through a rough patch and the defendant told Sabel he had used the RAFD credit card for personal purchases but did not say how much money was personal. The defendant told Sabel that he then paid off the entire credit card, including late fees. Sabel did not know where the defendant obtained the money to pay off the credit card,” the complaint states.
At one point, the balance on the cards was $36,000, all of which Saul said would have been personal purchases.
Saul was appointed fire chief in 2013. In 2021, Saul was released from the hospital after more than month, after battling COVID-19.
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