Wausau Man Accused of Lying to Claim Unemployment Benefits

Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 -- 10:01 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) A Wausau man is accused of lying to claim unemployment benefits from the state of Wisconsin.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, investigators say Alex Welke was in jail while claiming thousands in unemployment payments during an 11-month window from May 2020 to April 2021, information that he did not disclose on his application for benefits.

Those who serve more than two days in jail during the week are not eligible to receive unemployment payments, as per state law. Welke is also accused of misrepresenting his self-employment status on the forms.

All told, the 31-year-old received nearly $21,000 in benefits through alleged fraud. Welke is due to make an initial appearance on Thursday for one count of fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits, totaling more than $10,000.

If found guilty, he faces up to ten years in prison and $25,000 in fines, plus potential restitution to the state unemployment fund. Court records show Welke was found guilty of felony forgery in August of 2024 and was given a withheld sentence.

He was also found guilty of criminal burglary and trespassing in 2023 and has multiple OWIs on his record.

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