Former Green Lake Police Officer Sentenced

RIPON, Wis (WRPN)-A former Green Lake Police officer charged with felony misconduct in office and misdemeanor theft for allegedly stealing boat launch fees was recently sentenced in Green Lake County Court.

Thirty-eight-year-old Michael Bennett of Berlin pled guilty to the misdemeanor theft charge and the other was read into the record and dismissed. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, paid $440 in restitution, and paid a $967 court fine. His jail sentence is to start no later than April 1^st. He was given work release privileges.

According to the criminal complaint the thefts allegedly occurred from May 10^th to July 21^st last year. Ripon Police were asked to help with the investigation.  Bennet told investigators he had been in a rough spot and maybe took about 28 of the envelopes from a boat launch fee box on five separate occasions.

When asked how much he took he estimated from $360 to $420. According to the criminal complaint he used the money four times for groceries and twice for gas.