FOND DU LAC, Wis. — A former Ripon fire chief has been ordered to pay more than $3,000 in fines after an investigation found he used the Ripon Area Fire District's credit card for personal expenses, resulting in a balance exceeding $30,000, according to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Eric Toney announced Monday, Dec. 23, that Timothy Saul Jr. fraudulently used the credit card from 2016 to 2022.
While Saul paid off the balance without public funds, he failed to properly manage or communicate financial matters to the board, enabling him to benefit from the credit line, according to the DA's office.
The balance accrued late fees while protecting Saul’s credit. He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card.
“The Ripon community should be proud of the work of the Fire District to expose the defendant’s criminal activity and hold him accountable, based on the great investigation by the Ripon Police Department,” Toney said. “The Ripon area community should once again be proud of their Fire District and those serving them on the board.”
In an apology letter released by the DA’s office, Saul wrote: “I am deeply sorry for betraying the public that trusted me as its chief. I am equally sorry to the District for the hardship and problems it endured by rightfully investigating my wrongdoings.”
You can read Saul’s full apology letter below:
"It is with great regret and shame that I take responsibility and admit guilt for the repeated misuse of the Ripon Fire District’s credit card. From 2016 to 2022, while I was Chief of the Ripon Fire District, I charged over $30,000.00 to the District’s credit card. I regret those terrible choices, however, I never submitted any of those bills to be paid by taxpayer dollars. Every single credit card balance was paid off with my own money. As Chief, I had financial duties and responsibilities. I had access to the District’s credit card and was to use it for District business. I breached that responsibility by taking advantage of the District’s line of credit. I did not inform the District of this personal use, nor did I present the credit card statements to the District. I acknowledge that by using the credit card to help myself out of my own financial struggles, and by keeping this information from the District, I created an environment that could have put the public and The District at risk. I am deeply sorry for betraying the public that trusted me as its Chief. I am equally sorry to the District for the hardship and problems it endured by rightfully investigating my wrongdoings."
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