Dodge County sheriff admits to transferring union funds to his personal bank account, pleads guilty to wire fraud

Dodge County Sheriff Dustin Weitzel pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to one count of wire fraud and admitted to using his position at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 17 to transfer union funds into his own bank account.

Weitzel, 46, was elected as the Dodge County Sheriff in 2022. He had been employed by the Sheriff’s Office since 1999, and served as the treasurer for the Dodge County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 17, or FOP17, beginning at some point prior to 2018.

All deputies with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office were required to be members of FOP17, and dues were deducted from members’ paychecks. As treasurer, Weitzel was responsible for overseeing the collection of dues and maintaining the organization’s bank accounts. He was the only lodge member with online access to the bank accounts, according to prosecutors.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Weitzel transferred money from the FOP17 bank accounts into his personal accounts a total of 84 times between April 2018 and February 2022. The transfers totaled $45,500 – $40,750 of which was paid back by Weitzel before the investigation began.

As part of a plea agreement, Weitzel will pay the difference of $4,749.99 to FOP17.

Prosecutors said many of the transfers were made to “prevent overdrafts in Weitzel’s personal accounts.” Weitzel admitted to making the transfers during an interview, according to prosecutors.

Weitzel will surrender his law enforcement certification prior to sentencing, which is set to take place in October. He will face a maximum of 20 years in prison with no minimum, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Weitzel planned to run for a second four-year term as sheriff, and was uncontested in the 2026 primary election. He also ran uncontested in the 2022 race. The Dodge County Board of Supervisors will appoint a replacement for Weitzel until the November election.