Court gavel. MWC file photo.
GREEN LAKE, WI (WSAU) — Court action is underway for Ryan Borgwardt, the Green Lake County man who faked his death and fled the United States last summer.
The 44-year-old was in court this week, where his defense team announced that they have had meaningful discussions with the state about a plea deal. The parties will return to court next month, and if no such agreement is reached, the judge may schedule the matter for trial.
Borgwardt faces a misdemeanor charge for obstruction, with Green Lake County looking to recoup up to $40,000 spent searching Green Lake and other areas for his body. He left home in August, telling his family he was going on a “kayaking trip. ” He then overturned his kayak on Green Lake and paddled to shore in an inflatable raft, took an electronic bike to Madison, boarded a bus to Toronto, and left North America.
He was later found living with a woman near the line between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Borgwardt returned to the US in December and made an initial appearance on December 11th before being released on a signature bond.
Investigators also discovered numerous signs that Borgwardt tried to erase his digital footprint and drained his bank accounts before fleeing.
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