Door County family accused in fuel-theft scheme makes first court appearance

DOOR COUNTY (NBC 26) — Three people appeared in front of a judge Friday morning in connection with a fuel-stealing scheme in Door County. 65-year-old Thomas Kaczmarek, 61-year-old Jean Kaczmarek and 25-year-old Justin Kaczmarek — father, mother and son — are accused of stealing fuel from customers in a wide-ranging scheme involving multiple victims in Door County. Anonymous information obtained by NBC 26 says that Thomas "took fuel that was billed to some larger customers and delivered it to others at a discounted price." According to the Door County Sheriff's Office, the scheme had been going on for more than a decade, and investigators identified 14 victims. The estimated combined loss is $1.8 million. The Kaczmareks have a no contact condition with those victims, which are spread out across Northeast Wisconsin. WATCH MIHIR SINHASAN'S FULL BROADCAST STORY: Door County family accused in fuel-theft scheme makes first court appearance "There are a number of serious, anticipated charges that the state intends on filing," special prosecutor Kevin Steuck said. Thomas was employed as a driver for Brillion-based cooperative Country Visions for 17 years, according to anonymous information obtained by NBC 26. In court Friday, Door County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Moeller set a $25,000 cash bond for Thomas, who is being held on one count of felony theft and 14 counts of fraudulent writing. A $10,000 cash bond was set for his son, Justin, who is facing two counts of fraudulent writing and one count of money laundering. Jean is being held on a $5,000 cash bond and faces one count of money laundering. "This is a very sophisticated and serious crime that high cash is appropriate," Steuck said about the Kaczmarek's bond totals. The family said in court that they would like signature bonds instead. "(Thomas) and his family have absolutely zero money," said Nathan Dineen, Thomas's attorney. "It's all been seized. I spoke with (Thomas) and his son, Nathan, to try to come up with some money for bond. There is none." "I am not a flight risk," Jean said. "I will not go anywhere other than here because I have family here. There's no way I'll leave them." The Kaczmareks are due back in court Nov. 19. No formal charges were filed as of mid-afternoon Friday, according to court records. In a statement released Friday, Country Visions addressed the matter: " The Cooperative business model guarantees that profits are returned to the customers who buy products from the cooperative. Therefore, it was especially disheartening when, in September, Country Visions became aware that one of its employees was stealing petroleum products from some customers. In response, Country Visions promptly notified the Door County Sheriff’s Department and terminated the person’s employment. [...] Country Visions is committed to working to identify missing products and reimburse affected customers to the extent possible. Country Visions has implemented extra controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. " The Door County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who paid the Kaczmareks directly in cash or by check for fuel delivery to contact Investigator Jon Gilson at (920) 746-2555.