Door County man convicted of 15 felonies in money laundering case
STURGEON BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – An 81-year-old Door County man was convicted of multiple felonies on Feb. 12 for his role in a large-scale money laundering operation.
Dale F. Pautsch of Nasewaupee pleaded no contest and was found guilty of 15 felonies, including theft in a business setting and money laundering while knowingly receiving or acquiring proceeds.
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Pautsch was convicted in two separate criminal cases:
:
Theft–Business Setting ($10,000–$100,000)
Increased Penalty for Elder Person Victim
Money Laundering–Knowingly Receives/Acquires Proceeds ($10,000–$100,000)
Theft–Business Setting (Over $100,000)
Money Laundering–Knowingly Receives/Acquires Proceeds (Over $100,000)
Multiple additional theft charges with enhanced penalties for elder victims
:
Theft–Business Setting ($10,000–$100,000) (Five counts)
Theft–Business Setting (Over $100,000)
The Door County Sheriff's Office said the ten-month investigation identified 23 victims, with total losses reaching $1,138,000.
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Pautsch was arrested on June 27, 2024. Authorities later seized his property, including a business in Gardner, a house and rental properties in Nasewaupee, two vehicles, a UTV, jewelry, and approximately $160,000.
He is scheduled to return to the Door County Courthouse on May 29 for sentencing.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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