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Former Lomira Fire Chief in Dodge County Arrested and Fired

Former Lomira fire chief in Dodge County arrested and fired in February

The former boss is accused of abuse of office and theft

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office has arrested former Lomira Fire Chief and municipal employee Keith Joas. He is charged with two counts of abuse of office and one count of theft. The 40-year-old from Campbellsport was fired from Lomira Township on February 13, 2024, and two days later, on February 15, 2024, an investigation began into theft allegations made by the township. According to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office, Lomira Township says Joas used his position in the township to use taxpayer money for personal gain. Investigators worked with the township to analyze financial records. The investigation resulted in theft and misconduct charges, which the sheriff's office said were “appropriate in this case.” The Dodge County Sheriff's Office shared this in a statement on behalf of Sheriff Dale Schmidt: “His disappointment when a public employee abuses the citizens' trust in our community demonstrates that public employees must be held accountable for this abuse of trust and held to a higher standard. That is why the Sheriff's Office has not only filed charges for theft, but also for public misconduct. The Sheriff wants all public employees to understand that while public service can be very honorable and rewarding, if one crosses the line and commits crimes in the performance of that duty, there will be consequences.” The Sheriff's Office says no further information will be released in this case pending possible criminal prosecution.

LOMIRA, Wisconsin —

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office has arrested former Lomira Fire Chief and village employee Keith Joas. He is charged with two counts of abuse of office and one count of theft. The 40-year-old Campbellsport resident was fired from the Village of Lomira on February 13, 2024, and two days later, on February 15, 2024, an investigation began into the theft allegations made by the village.

According to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office, the Lomira Township alleges Joas took advantage of his position in the township to use tax money for personal gain. Investigators worked with the township to analyze financial records. The investigation resulted in theft and misdemeanor charges that the sheriff's office said were “appropriate in this case.”

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office shared this in a statement on behalf of Sheriff Dale Schmidt: “His disappointment when a public employee abuses the citizens' trust in our community demonstrates that public employees must be held accountable for this abuse of trust and held to more stringent requirements. That is why the Sheriff's Office has not only filed charges for theft, but also for abuse of office. The Sheriff wants all public employees to understand that while public service can be very honorable and rewarding, when one crosses the line and commits crimes in the performance of that duty, there will be consequences.”

The sheriff's office says no further information will be released in this case pending possible prosecution.

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