An elderly man from Nasewaupee, found guilty of extensive theft and money laundering, will have his movable assets auctioned off. The properties involved include a residential site and a business establishment. Following a legal decision, authorities plan to sell both the properties and their contents to compensate the victims. An auction company has been hired to manage the sale process, which will take place online starting in mid-May for the business property items and mid-June for the residential ones. This action follows an intensive investigation into a significant financial crime operation that spanned over ten months, uncovering numerous victims with substantial monetary losses.
Aged 82, Dale Forrest Pautsch, who resided at 8089 Stewart Lane in Nasewaupee and owned the Little Brown Jug located at 8952 County Highway C in Gardner, was convicted on February 12 of multiple felony charges related to theft and money laundering. The Door County Sheriff’s Office, collaborating with the District Attorney's Office, took possession of his properties after the court ruling. These assets included not only real estate but also vehicles, a utility task vehicle (UTV), jewelry, and approximately $160,000 in cash. The investigation identified 23 victims suffering a combined loss exceeding one million dollars.
The investigation commenced when suspicions arose regarding Pautsch's activities. Over a period of ten months, law enforcement agencies worked tirelessly to gather evidence leading to his arrest on June 27, 2024. His belongings were immediately seized as part of the legal proceedings. Currently, Pautsch remains incarcerated at the Door County Jail awaiting sentencing scheduled for May 29 at 1 p.m.
As the auction approaches, further details concerning the real estate listings will be disclosed later. Those interested in participating or seeking more information about the auctions should contact Massart Auctioneers via phone or email. The proceeds from these sales will primarily go toward compensating the victims affected by Pautsch's crimes.
A judicial resolution aims to ensure justice for the victims through restitution facilitated by the auction of the confiscated properties and belongings. Authorities hope this measure will provide some relief to those impacted financially while reinforcing the message that such criminal acts will not be tolerated.