Former Village of Weston Clerk Appears in Marathon County Court for Fraud

Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 -- 12:01 PM

(Heather Poltrock, WSAW) The former village of Weston clerk appeared in Marathon County Court on Monday.

According to Heather Poltrock with WSAW, online court records show Theresa Coleman is charged with five felony counts of fraud. Police announced an investigation was underway in February 2023. Coleman was terminated on Jan. 31, 2023.

An investigation began after village leaders noted some possible misappropriation of funds through an internal, routine review of finances. An internal administrative investigation was initiated. During this process, the investigation revealed Coleman had access to the funds in question.

Court documents state Coleman had identified utility credits from homes that had recently sold. Prosecutors said Coleman would make a note to apply the credits to different utility bills. Investigators learned the credits had been applied to accounts of people she knew.

In one instance, investigators learned Coleman would include notes to transfer the credit. One note read, " [Redacted] asked to give this credit to his sister, they are having financial issues.” The amount was $142.06.

The victim told investigators he did not have a sister. Court documents state similar notes about account credits were discovered. Coleman is suspected of misallocating approximately $21,000 in funds during a 3-year span.

During her preliminary hearing and arraignment on Monday, she waived the hearing and entered a not guilty plea to the charges against her. She’s scheduled to be back in court on November 20th.

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