The case of the former Lakewood fire chief charged with embezzling thousands of dollars from the department’s nonprofit fund seems to be heading toward a quick resolution.
During an appearance in Oconto County Circuit Court on Jan. 16, Christopher E. Thomson, 42, Lakewood, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of identity theft, 10 counts of forgery-uttering, and single counts of theft in a business setting and fraud against a financial institution, in connection with incidents alleged to have occurred between 2020 and 2024.
Judge Jay Conley also scheduled a plea and sentencing hearing for 1:30 p.m. March 3 before Judge Michael Judge.
Thomson sent a letter from the county jail to Judge on Jan. 20 apologizing for his behavior and saying, “I’m willing to do anything for a chance to pay $500 monthly payments.”
According to the criminal complaint, Thomson was named treasurer of the Lakewood Fire Department Association in January 2020. The association is a separate entity from the department itself. Thomson became fire chief in 2022 upon the retirement of the former chief.
The Lakewood Town Board placed Thomson on unpaid administrative leave May 13, 2024, and he resigned as chief shortly thereafter, the complaint said.
An ensuing investigation by the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department concluded that over a four-year period, using the association’s checking account and debit card, Thomson had taken close to $100,000 from the nonprofit organization that holds donations and fundraising proceeds for the fire department.
He was arrested Nov. 15 and has been in custody at the Oconto County Jail since then in lieu of a $10,000 cash bond.
In his letter to the judge, which is now part of the court file, Thomson said he was trying to make ends meet and support his family, but he “screwed up and totally did wrong” instead of asking for help.
“If I could go back in time, I would stop myself from making a really huge mistake,” Thomson said. “Not only did this end me up in jail, I lost my wife and children because of it. Losing family is like losing oxygen.”
He said he would like a chance to get his life back on track and start making regular payments once he gets a new job and can go back to work.
“I’m sorry to everyone I affected, to the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department, Clerk of Courts, the Lakewood Fire Department, Fire Association, my friends and family, the D.A.’s office, and the entire community of Lakewood and surrounding areas,” Thomson wrote.
Two months in the county jail has been an eye opener, he said.
“If there is any chance in making this right, I will do anything to start fresh,” Thomson said. “Again I’m deeply sorry and embarrassed on my stupid mistake. Thank you again for any chance to prove myself that I can be a true and honest man.”
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
Former fire chief writes apology to judge, community
