Man convicted of stealing $360K from disabled son

APPLETON – A former Appleton man pleaded no-contest Monday to stealing more than $360,000 from his disabled son's trust fund over a three-year period to pay for drugs and vacations.

Todd D. Laseke, 48, of Oshkosh, was convicted in Outagamie County Circuit Court of theft in a business setting and possessing drug paraphernalia. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a charge of possessing marijuana.

Prosecutors will recommend a sentence of four to five years of probation, in addition to an undetermined period in jail. Repayment for the theft, absolute sobriety and counseling also will be recommended, said Assistant District Attorney Darrin Glad.

Police said Laseke withdrew or transferred $502,672 from his son's trust fund to his personal bank accounts from March 2008 to November 2011. While $135,000 was attributed to Laseke's monthly allowance as a guardian, $367,672 was spent beyond his stipend, officials said.

A court-ordered investigation into Laseke's accounting reports and bank accounts revealed large purchases including a minivan, a house downpayment and vacations to Florida, according to the criminal complaint. Laseke told police he spent $900 to $1,300 every week on cocaine and marijuana and used the money for a membership fee to an adult website.

Glad said he will recommend Laseke repay the entire amount, although the defendant could argue he is unable to afford the restitution.

Judge John Des Jardins is not required to abide by the recommended sentence and could impose a 10-year prison sentence and up to $25,000 in fines at the Feb. 19 sentencing hearing.

Laseke's son is no longer under his guardianship, officials confirmed in June. In 1999, the son received $1.37 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The son, now an adult, suffered a brain injury as a child that left him mentally disabled.

— Ariel Cheung: 920-993-1000, ext. 430, or acheung@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @arielfab