Building inspector charged after allegedly pocketing fees

 

By Gail Peckler-Dziki~Correspondent

Dave Sturdevant of Burlington will have his day in court on Aug. 15. The former building inspector for Twin Lakes, Randall and Lyons  faces three felony charge  involving two counts of misconduct in a public office (one for Randall, one for Twin Lakes) and party to the crime of forgery stemming from a Twin Lakes incident.

The case is brought by the state of Wisconsin and the preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15 at 8:30 a.m.

The charges stem from discrepancies that were discovered when Randall officials noticed roofing work in progress on an apartment building with no permit visible.

“I stopped to find out what was going on last April,” explained a town official. “I was told that the owner paid for the permit and didn’t receive it. He also told me that he wrote the check out to the building inspector, not the town.”

According to Twin Lake Police Chief Dale Racer; his department is working on the pending investigation in conjunction with the Kenosha County Sheriff Department.

“We have gone back two years,” Racer said, “and found two problems.”

Sturdevent’s attorney is Fred Zievers. Robert Zapf; Kenosha County District Attorney is listed as prosecuting attorney. Jason Rosell will preside.

Zievers said, “Charges that have been lodged distort the behavior in question. According to the information at my disposal now he was contrite and forthright in dealing with the investigation.”

“The criminal complaint alleges that a total of $690 is in question,” he continued. “The defense will do its best to put the situation into a proper context and help the municipalities and the Sturdevant family put this behind them. It is our job to put this in its proper perspective.”

The criminal complaint outlines seven incidences that occurred over the last 10 months and states that if Sturdevant is convicted of all three charges, he could face up to 13 years in prison and pay $30,000 in fines.

Sturdevant had served as the Randall building inspector since 2000 and for several years for Twin Lakes. It is not know long he served as building inspector in the Town of Lyons.


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