Neosho clerk was sole signer on the village bank account; she's accused of taking $280,000
Deanna Braunschweig, clerk-treasurer of the Village of Neosho for 15 years and also clerk of the Village of Chenequa, was charged on March 13, 2026 in Dodge County with two counts of theft in a business setting and two counts of misconduct in office. The Wisconsin Department of Justice says she paid herself more than $280,000 beyond her approved pay between 2018 and 2025. According to the criminal complaint, she was the only authorized user of Neosho's bank account; her set salary was $15,000 a year, yet a financial audit found she paid herself $376,787. Village leaders found the checks only in fall 2025, after a cash shortfall. Braunschweig pleaded not guilty in April; her lawyer says she was entitled to stipends. The village board calls itself a victim and says it is pursuing recovery.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice said a former village clerk, who served two different communities, pocketed more than $280,000 of taxpayer money to pad her paycheck without any approval from supervisors.
Oldenhoff explained that Braunschweig had been the Village Clerk/Treasurer for the past 15 years, and she was the only authorized user of the bank account.
The Village faces financial challenges resulting from the embezzlement of substantial funds. The Village is pursuing all avenues that may lead to recovery of the stolen funds.
Her attorney says there are significant disputes of fact, particularly whether she was entitled to stipends.
Says the village is a victim of a serious crime and is pursuing all avenues to recover the funds.
No outcome recorded yet.