UPDATE: Former Muskego Elementary PTA Treasurer Charged With Embezzlement

The former treasurer of the Muskego Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association is facing charges after he allegedly embezzled nearly $9,000 from the organization.

Rick F. Hahne, 38, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Friday with one count of theft of more than $5,000. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Muskego Elementary families were informed of this situation in a letter sent in early December, according to Muskego-Norway School Superintendent Joe Schroeder, as well as receiving a follow-up letter as an update about this last week. 

According to the criminal complaint:

Between September 2009 and October 2011, Hahne allegedly took $8,730 from PTA’s account and used it for personal items. With fees incurred from the charges, the organization lost $9,389.

On Dec. 2, 2011 Hahne was confronted by the PTA board about the theft and he admitted to “borrowing” $7,900 from the account. He then wrote a check to the organization for $8,500, but still owes $888 to the organization.

Hahne stated that he took the money because he lost two jobs within 18 months and needed money to pay for his utilities and children. Of 20 checks written from the fund, 15 were drawn from the organization's checking account, three were written out to Target and one was drawn from a money market account. He also allegedly forged another official's signature on some of the checks.

He will make his initial appearance in court June 4.  

Schroeder credited the PTO for its cooperation in bringing this to light, adding, "Muskego Elementary's PTO officers worked closely with district administration and local authorities from the outset of learning of this issue concerning their former treasurer and took immediate action to remedy the situation and keep parents in the loop."