Former Ripon Fire Chief Timothy Saul is sentencing for misusing a city credit card, Dec. 23, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Former Ripon Area Fire District Chief Timothy Saul was fined $3,000 Monday for using a city credit card for personal expenses.
Saul, 57, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of “financial transaction card – use to defraud” for purchases from 2016 to 2022. Saul also had to write an apology letter to community.
There was no restitution ordered because no public funds were used to pay off the credit cards. Saul wasn’t charged with theft, but with illegally using the city’s line of credit through use of the card.
Before the sentence was issued, Saul apologized.
“Never, did I think that at 57 years old, the way I was raised, the caring person I am and always wanted to help the next person, the amazing career I had, and the family life and friends I have, that I would be sitting here today as “one of those people” with a criminal record. That fact alone is, and always be, devastating to me. I regret my actions that put me here today. From the bottom of my heart, I give my sincere apologies. I’m sorry more than anyone can ever imagine,” Saul said.
Ellen Sorenson, president of fire district, criticized Saul for violating the public trust associated with the agency. Sandra Berton, whose husband serves in the department, said Saul was dedicated and cared for its members.
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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