UPDATED Wednesday, May 9, 2012 --- 4:42 p.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A federal judge has sentenced a former Beloit official to prison for using city funds to purchase personal items.
According to court documents, Timothy Kosier was authorized to purchase supplies and equipment in his position as city water maintenance supervisor. Last June an anonymous city worker tipped city officials that Kosier was using city funds to purchase personal supplies.
Investigators determined Kosier purchased items such as furnaces and water heaters for his personal use and for his heating-and-cooling business. Prosecutors also said he approved payment on fraudulent invoices a city contractor submitted.
Kosier fled. He was arrested in Hawaii in August. U.S. District Judge William Conley sentenced Kosier on Wednesday to 3 years in prison and ordered him to pay $854,825 in restitution.
Kosier's attorney, Jack Hoag, didn't return messages.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
_________________________________________
UPDATED Friday, February 17, 2012 --- 11:00 a.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A former Beloit public works supervisor has pleaded guilty to federal charges of stealing city property and making unauthorized purchases.
Tim Kosier entered the plea in federal court in Madison Thursday to theft of government property. He was accused of charging up to $1 million to the city by purchasing lawn mowers, water heaters and furnaces among other items.
Kosier was arrested in August by federal agents on the Hawaiian island of Maui, where he had rented a vacation home. The Beloit Daily News (http://bit.ly/yP4rir ) says sentencing is scheduled May 9.
------
Information from: Beloit Daily News, http://www.beloitdailynews.com
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
________________________________________
Posted Thursday, August 25, 2011 --- 1:05 p.m.
HONOLULU (AP) -- A man wanted for stealing government property in Wisconsin has been arrested at a vacation rental home on Maui.
The FBI says Timothy Kosier has been transported to Honolulu. A detention hearing is scheduled for Friday to determine returning him to Wisconsin.
According to the federal complaint, the 45-year-old Kosier was a maintenance supervisor for the City of Beloit's Water Resources Department. The complaint says he allegedly stole at least $5,000 worth of city property.
The Beloit Daily News reports that city officials have said the thefts involving city property and unauthorized purchases using city lines of credit reached $150,000, possibly more.
An FBI spokesman in Honolulu says the exact amount is not known.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.