EAU CLAIRE, WI (WTAQ) – A former Eau Claire County treasurer and his long-time deputy appeared in court Monday for allegedly embezzling several hundred thousand dollars.
14 criminal charges were filed against Larry Lokken and his former deputy treasurer Kay Onarheim. The counts included felony embezzlement and misconduct in public office.
Lokken was elected the Eau Claire County treasurer in 1976, and retired in 2013. Onarheim served from 1979 until the same time Lokken retired.
County Chairman Gregg Moore said an insurance claim was filed for almost $626,000, and the amount could increase as an investigation continues. Moore said current treasurer Glenda Lyons spotted suspicious transactions on the part of her predecessors, and she brought them to the attention of county officials.
In court, prosecutors wanted a quarter-million dollar cash bond for each — but Judge William Gabler ordered much smaller bonds of $7,500 for Lokken and $500 for Onarheim.
Preliminary hearings are the next step in their cases. The state Justice Department has been assisting with the investigation.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
