Northwoods woman sentenced to prison for stealing from elderly employer

Star Journal Report

RHINELANDER – A Vilas County woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison, 18.5 years of extended supervision and ordered to pay over $300,000 in restitution for stealing from an elderly person who employed her. Kassie A. Wujkowski, 29, pled guilty to two counts of theft greater than $10,000 in Oneida County court on Nov. 30.

According to the criminal complaint, Wujkowski took more than $400,000 from a 70-year old individual she provided in-home care for between October 2017 and October 2019. She made 1,324 transactions with the victim’s credit cards totaling $313,774, of which nearly $140,000 was spent at casinos. Wujkowski paid herself and her family over $80,000, despite Wujkowski’s salary only being $1,250 per month. Wujkowski also paid over $20,000 of her own credit card bills with the victim’s money.

This case was investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and prosecuted by the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office.

“Elder fraud and exploitation is a growing problem, with an estimated $77.8 million lost annually in Wisconsin. It is also a vastly underreported crime,” said Wisconsin Attorney General Kaul. “Anyone in Wisconsin can report suspected elder abuse at www.ReportElderAbuseWI.org or by calling 1-833-586-0107. Thank you to everyone at DOJ and the Oneida County DA’s office whose work ensured that the defendant is being held accountable.”