Milw. Co. employee arrested for fraud, misconduct in office

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A Milwaukee County employee was arrested Wednesday, February 19th on recommended charges of fraud and misconduct in office after allegations he used county funds to pay for private, personal projects.

54-year-old safety coordinator Dennis Dietscher has worked for the county for the last 27 years. He is accused of pocketing some of the money being used to repair the Milwaukee County Courthouse after a fire this past summer.

Just a month ago, Dietscher told the county Transportation and Public Works Committee progress was being made on the $16 million courthouse electrical restoration project.

"On behalf of the county, I work very closely with the insurer and claims adjusters to make sure we are in good position before this all happened," Dietscher said.

Investigators say Dietscher has been using county money for personal gain over the past four years.

Documents released Thursday, February 20th by the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office identify three separate occasions where Dietscher received services or materials that were allegedly billed back to Milwaukee County's insurance carrier.

The work allegedly included tree removal, construction tools and a kitchen backsplash.

Dietscher's supervisor, Department of Administration Services Director Don Tyler, was not available for comment.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele says the administration is launching an internal investigation into the matter.

Dietscher has not been formally charged. The District Attorney's Office says he will be released from jail some time Thursday.