Gary Kieper
ANTIGO, WI (WSAU) — A Langlade County man accused of stealing more than $300,000 from a township and rural fire department will go to trial after the court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf Thursday.
Gary Kieper of Antigo is accused of taking the funds and depositing them in his personal bank accounts over several years. Kieper had served as the treasurer for the Town of Ackley.
Officials opened an investigation in Kieper in November 2023 when an Ackley supervisor noticed irregularities in the town’s books. That led investigators to check into the finances of the Langlade County Rural Fire Control, which he also handled money for.
Investigators believe more than $300,000 was stolen in separate incidents dating back to 2013.
The 69-year-old is facing nine felony counts ranging from theft in a business setting to misconduct in public office, which could land him in state prison for more than 35 years along with thousands in fines.
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No trial date was immediately set. Court records show he has posted a $250,000 cash bond, which was reduced from his initial bond of $500,000 during a hearing earlier this spring. The Antigo Daily Journal reports that the reduced bond was agreed to despite concerns that Kieper could be a flight risk or harm himself. His legal team has worked to get him counseling through specialists who work with clients in the criminal justice system.
Marathon County Judge Rick Cveykus is handling the case due to a potential conflict of interest with the previously assigned Judge.
Further court action has been scheduled for July 18th (pretrial conference) and July 26th (Status hearing).
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