(Facebook.com)
Kenosha, Wis. – A City of Kenosha employee has been charged with one count of misdemeanor theft, according to court records. Jamie D. Watkins, a 54-year-old arborist employed by the city, is accused of stealing Menards rebate checks meant for the Parks Department. Watkins is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on February 27, 2025. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of nine months in jail, a $10,000 fine, and possible restitution.
City Administrator John Morrissey confirmed that Watkins has been on paid leave since the theft was discovered. However, Mayor David Bogdala told KCE “Every employee, no matter what the circumstance, is afforded their due process and that is what occurred in this case.” Watkins is still employed and could be on the payroll while the criminal case unfolds—a process that could take over a year. Watkins earns almost $30 per hour.
The Investigation
According to the criminal complaint, Detective Buchanan reviewed surveillance footage from Menards, located at 7330 74th Place, spanning from July 28, 2024, to October 20, 2024. The footage allegedly captured the same man—matching Watkins’ description—on multiple occasions. The suspect, often seen wearing a white baseball cap and sunglasses, was observed driving a 2019 white Toyota Tacoma, registered to both Jamie D. Watkins, and his wife.
Detective Buchanan presented still images from the surveillance footage to Parks Director Katie Elder and other employees. Elder identified the individual in the footage as Watkins.
Elder, who has served as director since April 2023 and oversees purchasing for daily operations, explained that Menards is frequently used for city purchases due to its convenience and rebate program. Employees are required to submit receipts for rebates, which are then processed through Rebates International.
On October 28, 2024, a city employee inquired about missing rebate checks. By mid-November, Elder and other employees noted several rebate checks had disappeared. Further investigation revealed that rebate checks, amounting to $610.84, were used exclusively on Sundays—when the Parks Department is closed.
Confession and Consequences
Detective Buchanan interviewed Watkins, who admitted to taking five to six rebate checks over the past seven to eight months. Watkins reportedly stated that he used the rebate money for personal purchases, including household items and food such as gummy bears, Febreze, and Sprecher root beer. He explained that financial struggles, particularly supporting a daughter in college, motivated him to take the funds.
Despite the allegations and admission, Watkins remains employed by the city, sparking questions about administrative policies on employee misconduct. City officials have yet to clarify why he continues to receive pay while awaiting trial.
As Watkins prepares for his February 27 court appearance, the case has raised concerns about oversight in city financial practices and employee accountability. More details are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings continue.
29 Responses
He will probably get off Scot free, just like the
guy named Pat did from police fleet services for
the scrap brake rotors and repairs he did off hours and the rebates.
Nothing to see here. Move along folks.
Must have learned his craft from John Steinbrink. Maybe they could be cell mates?
Anyone that can’t understand the ramifications of risking losing their GOVERNMENT JOB where in his case, he would have to drop a tree on his boss to even get a reprimand much less lose his job, risks it all for $600. ?!?!?!?!
Any employee that can’t figure that math out doesn’t deserve to be trusted with tools that can hurt people !!
Could have made that much cash delivering pizzas on just a few weekends.
Can’t fix Stupid !!
Tim Katt
Why dosent anyone ever look into the misspending within the Kenosha police department and the Kenosha sheriffs OFFICE, if you are really worried about tax dollars. Look at all the wasted money and misspent use of funds just in the two departments. Who cares about the rebates,at the end of the day would he get in trouble if they where just throw away or never sent in..
This is the exact same thing a pleasant prairie public work employee did.
Question I have is did this city employee make these purchases during working hours? Stealing city time as well!
Just one of the many issues that were a part of Salems old administration and board.
But I digress
Just like Trump is doing, find out where my tax dollars are going. This guy should be fired for stealing but instead is getting a paid vacation. Can’t make this shit up
In this case it’s a little vague as to how the department head who was responsible(?) actually caught this through ongoing audit/accounting or more by what is becoming common in Kenosha where someone not responsible blew the whistle.
Wonder how much loss Kenosha actually experiences due to lax accounting and supervision?
Might start with simply pulling random audits of Menard’s transactions.
The bigger scam is the city paying “arborists”to kill time driving around and cutting down a tree every couple months. or the pothole crew and street sweeper wasting time.
Enjoy those gummy bears!
Ate gummy bears and drank root beer.
That calls for febreze !! Lol
So what? You have to mail in those rebates then wait for weeks. The city was never going to go through that trouble and it would have went to waste. Someone might as well get it.
Not the point
Risks losing his job for $600. Stress of paying for college blah blah blah. My 4 kids basically paid for their college degrees by working and student loans. He should tell his daughter to pitch in. Doesn’t his wife work? I think he should be ordered to reimburse the city and lose his job. Don’t waste the jail cell on him.
If he admitted to it, why is there a trial?
Because he broke the law??
This is all Nothing, he has been caught peeping through windows watching women change”which he got out of”. Has Gambling problem thats why “financial issues” Note his Daughters school look him up on CCAP, unpaid credit cards reverse mortgages unpaid payday loans! These people need to do more investigating on this guy this is nothing he has a problem. His wife same thing on ccap unpaid credit cards pitiful
Menards needs to be in jail. Rebates are a scam. Just lower the prices.
Call him Mr Pay day loan. Sad. Fire him now
Why is he still on payroll???
Innocent till proven guilty. Its all red tape.
Correct. Due process. But how long that process takes is very interesting
Bet he makes less than the $8000.00 per month the “long time Kenosha detective” is currently getting paid while he’s “not allowed” inside the police department for over 2 full months. At least KUSD fires people who did wrong within a few days. How long does it take an employer whose primary job is to investigate to actually investigate at $8000 per month?
Any updates chief?
Name please?
Biggest fraud of all- at 54, you know he’s using some just for men in that beard!! No way it’s that dark naturally!!!
Can we talk about having way too many city employees when you see 10 guys always watching the new guy do the work?
Bogdala talks a big game. He should have been fired immediately.
The mayor is worried about photo ops and Facebook. Lol
It can be expensive buying North Face and Columbia clothing. Idiot.