Former Plainfield, WI, Fire Chief Charged with Stealing $112K from Village
Plainfield’s former fire chief has been charged with stealing more than $100,000 from the central Wisconsin village, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation said Monday.
Jeffrey M. Kessenich was arrested Wednesday and charged Friday with two felony counts of theft in a business setting and one count of misdemeanor theft for allegedly stealing $112,157 from the village when he was Plainfield fire chief, DCI said in a statement.
According to the criminal complaint, Kessenich used the stolen village funds for personal purchases, making unauthorized purchases and unauthorized reimbursements to himself, misappropriating funds, and moving funds between different Plainfield Fire Department accounts to cover up the alleged fraud.
The alleged crimes began in December 2023 and continued through September 2025.
DCI’s investigation began after concerns were raised by Plainfield and its police department.
The Waushara County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. Plainfield is in Waushara County.
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