Former Lakewood Fire Chief is accused of Embezzling $100,000 from non-profit

In 2020, Lakewood elected 42-year-old Christopher Thomson of Lakewood as the Lakewood Fire Department treasurer, a position he held until September 3rd, 2024. He served as the Lakewood Fire Chief from 2022 to May 13th, 2024, when the department placed him on unpaid administrative leave for “various reasons.” He resigned the next day, according to a criminal complaint. Only members of the fire department can sit on the LFDA board and Thomson resigned from his position as treasurer on September 3^rd, 2024.  Prosecutors in Oconto County filed 22 felony charges against Thomson. 10 counts of identity theft to obtain money or credit, Felony H. One count of theft in a business setting between $10,000 and $100,000, Felony G. 10 counts of uttering forgery, Felony H. and One count of fraud against a financial institution, with value exceeding $500 but not exceeding $10,000, Felony H.

Following Thomson’s resignation from the LFDA on September 3^rd the LFDA president asked him to return the association’s check book and records. Thomson gave “a litany of excuses” before returning the checkbook on September 20^th, after the president threatened to involve law enforcement. The president’s threat to involve law enforcement preceded the checkbook’s return. Noticed that all receipts were missing, and the check sequence was off. Nine checks were found to be issued and cashed by Thomson’s wife who served as secretary of LFDA, totaling $800.  On September 20^th, Thomson told a former Lakewood Fire Chief and a LFDA board member he took approximately $5,000 and that he would pay it back. In September 21^s, Thomson told an Oconto Sheriff’s Deputy he took about $20,000 and used the money for bills. He said he “needed help but was too ashamed of as for it.”   Former Lakewood Fire Chief Christopher Thomson is facing 22 felony charges after being accused of embezzling nearly $100,000 from the Lakewood Fire Department Association, a nonprofit that raises funds primarily for the Lakewood Fire Department. Thomson had not returned any of the money mentioned in the complaint or receipts and documents to account for his financial activity with association funds as of November 13^th, 2024.

Former Lakewood Fire Chief Christopher Thomson is facing 22 felony charges after being accused of embezzling nearly $100,000 from the Lakewood Fire Department Association, a nonprofit that raises funds primarily for the Lakewood Fire Department.