Former Tri-County Corridor Recreational Commission Director Faces Theft, Tax Charges

News Release

Scott A. Williams, 58, of Iron River, Wisconsin is facing charges as a result of an embezzlement from the Tri-County Corridor Recreational Trail Commission where he acted as the director.

Williams faces multiple charges including:

• Theft in a Business Setting Over $100,000
• Three counts of Fraud/Rendering Income Tax Return or Obtain Refund with Fraudulent Intent
• Three counts of Fraudulent Claim of a Tax Credit

According to the criminal complaint, Williams took funds from the Commission by writing checks to himself and either altering or deleting transactions in the Commission's QuickBooks program.

Williams used over $183,000 of the Commission's funds to pay for personal expenses including a $4,987 child support payment to the Bayfield County Child Support Office, as well as the purchase of motorcycles, trucks, computer equipment and accessories, a washer and dryer, a zero-turn riding lawn mower and other equipment.

Additionally, Williams was paid a salary for working as the director and an hourly wage for trail maintenance work, but he did not report any income from the Commission. Between 2016 and 2018, he underreported his taxable income by over $200,000 and evaded over $14,000 in taxes. By not including this income, Williams appeared eligible for, and claimed the Homestead Credit in 2016 and Earned Income Credits in 2017 and 2018. The Homestead Credit is intended to provide property tax relief to lower-income Wisconsin taxpayers. Earned Income Credit is intended to provide relief to lower- income working Wisconsin taxpayers with children. Williams' taxable income was $89,503 in 2016, $105,178 in 2017, and $67,596 in 2018.

Charges were filed on March 27, 2020 by the Bayfield County District Attorney's Office after an investigation by the Bayfield County Sheriff's Office and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's Office of Criminal Investigation. If convicted, Williams could face over 30 years in prison, $85,000 in fines, or both.

The Department of Revenue, Office of Criminal Investigation investigates individuals who are suspected of committing tax crimes and the State of Wisconsin will prosecute criminals who engage in tax fraud.

To report tax fraud, go to the DOR website at www.revenue.wi.gov and click the "Report tax fraud" link under Quick Links.

Note: The Criminal Complaint can be viewed by clicking HERE. You can also view below if your device supports our in-page viewer (in-page viewer currently not supported on most Android devices and some browsers).