An employee of the city of Cornell, WI has been sentenced on his criminal charges stemming from an investigation in 2017 that resulted in charges being filed against at two employees.
John Westaby, employed by the city of Cornell, was charged with four counts of Class I Felony Misconduct/Office-Act/Inconsistent Duty and four counts of Misdemeanor Theft-Movable Property <=$2,500. Another city of Cornell employee, Brandon Larson, is facing the same charges with the penalty enhancer for Party to a Crime.
DrydenWire.com published a press release on October 5, 2017 regarding this investigation. According to the press release, city owned property was recovered during the investigation.
Online circuit court records show that Westaby appeared in Chippewa County Circuit Court on August 20, and entered pleas of No Contest to one count of Class I Felony Misconduct/Office-Act/Inconsistent Duty and two counts of Misdemeanor Theft-Movable Property <=$2,500.
The Court ordered a withheld sentence for Westaby of 24 months with probation on his convictions for Misdemeanor Theft. Conditions of Westaby’s probation will require him to complete an assessment and follow through with any counseling or treatment as required. The Court ordered that restitution will be determined in this case. Westaby was also ordered to pay nearly $900 in court costs. The Court did not accept Westaby’s plea to his felony count of Misconduct/Office-Act/Inconsistent Duty. Online circuit court records did not indicate if there is a future court date for Westaby.
According to online circuit court records, Brandon Larson is scheduled to appear in October 2018 for a review hearing on his criminal charges.
Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
**Previous Post Below**
Cornell City Employees Facing Possible Theft Charges
Thursday, October 5, 2017 | Press Release
On September 26th 2017 the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by the City Administrator of Cornell, in reference to the theft of City owned property, possibly by two City employees.
As a result of that investigation, the arrest of one person occurred and the other person of interest is being referred to the Chippewa County District Attorney’s Office for charging purposes.
City owned property was recovered during the investigation, further investigation in reference to other allegations involving the two suspects continues by the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department at this time.
- Arrested: John E Westaby age 56 of Cornell, WI. (pictured above)
- Charges: Theft of Movable Property, Misconduct In Public Office
Westaby was released from the Chippewa County Jail on a $2,500.00 signature bond on October 2, 2017.
- Referred: Brandon J Larson age 35 of Holcombe WI.
- Charges: Theft of Movable Property
Both Larson and Westaby are employees of the City of Cornell.
Per Sheriff James L Kowalczyk
Last Update: Aug 22, 2018 9:47 am CDT
