KENOSHA, Wis. – Despite reportedly admitting to embezzling tens of thousands of dollars, Racine Police Officer LaVontay Fenderson remains on active duty, drawing a taxpayer-funded paycheck while local prosecutors remain silent.
The investigation into Fenderson began last year, when the Racine Police Department learned of potential misconduct involving the officer. To avoid a conflict of interest, Racine police referred the matter to the Kenosha Police Department. On November 6, 2024, Kenosha police formally referred criminal charges to the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office.
According to a police spokesperson, detectives recommended one count of felony misconduct in public office and one felony count of theft. Sources tell Kenosha County Eye that Fenderson admitted to investigators that he embezzled money by double-dipping from both the Racine Police Department and the Racine Unified School District (RUSD).
On May 8, 2025, Racine Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Alicia Mitchell told KCE: “LaVontay Fenderson is an active employee and at this time there is no further comment on personnel matters.”
KCE also reached out to Racine Police Chief Alex Ramirez for comment. He did not respond.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
That same day, KCE contacted Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis to ask whether he intended to charge Fenderson. Solis declined to give a direct answer.
The previous district attorney, Mike Graveley (D), also refused to file charges in the case, despite the police recommendation. Multiple legal sources told KCE that Graveley’s office maintained a quiet policy of not charging law enforcement officers, even when investigators found probable cause.
Some community members are now wondering if Solis is continuing that unwritten tradition.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Another recent case is raising similar concerns. In April, Racine County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Ortiz was arrested in Somers after Kenosha County deputies responded to a domestic disturbance. Investigators found probable cause for domestic violence and arrested Ortiz. However, Solis has yet to file charges in that case. Ortiz was suspended without pay for just three days and has since returned to duty with the Racine County Sheriff’s Office.
The Ortiz and Fenderson cases are now raising a central question for voters and legal observers: will Kenosha County’s new top prosecutor follow in his predecessor’s footsteps when it comes to charging police officers?
KCE will continue to report on these cases and press county officials for transparency.
***KCE has heard from a reliable source that Fenderson is no longer employed by Racine Police Department, but officials with RPD have not confirmed.***
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15 Responses
He is not still employed by the PD. Call the PIO and ask….
…. Kevin calling out an obvious friend if needed !
Xavier needs to stop over thinking whatever it is he’s mulling over and file these charges on the officer and deputy.
These charges need to see a courtroom.
Violating the public trust and harming personal relationships is something that people in positions of authority need to not let happen.
When they can’t control themselves in their personal lives, how can we trust them to respect the rest of us ??
just like Trump/Musk the bromance is failing
White collar cases take time to prepare, more than most violent crimes. In a “paper” case you have to cross every “t” up front so that the case has to essentially be almost ready for trial. In any event, the officer remaining on the payroll is an issue for the City of Racine, not the special prosecutor.
Also note that when a DA takes an out of county case it’s extra work added to the caseload which means that things have to be juggled to fit it in. It would be nice if there was a regional prosecution bureau like the Iowa Attorney General has for these overflow cases. Wisconsin DA’s by and large are understaffed. Nonviolent offenses have to wait their turn, unfortunately, when there are serious violent crimes to be prosecuted. Every day Kevin is publishing a court report of some awfully violent crimes in our community. I would not want any less effort made on those cases and I don’t think any sane person would, either.
So you want another layer of beaurocracy ?
DA Solis, is that you? 🤣
Why doesn’t Fenderson quit and go work at Salem Lakes? Administrator Hiller needs people that don’t give a damn about the law for her next walking trail project
Failed basketball player over seas, failed cop, failed husband, wife sleeping with bruce and whoever else on Green. Let the dude catch a break already.. never trust a big butt and a smile.
Failed basketball player ? You’re an idiot to make such slanderous comments . Y’all can’t wait for the Opportunity to prosecute to the fullest extent when it’s men of color ; but when blue collar white men commit higher value crimes you advocate for them with the quickness . Crime is crime but I’m not casting judgment , nor should you , your not lawyers, judges , you’re / we’re citizens and sadly many of you can’t wait for the chance to pin blame on black men , especially black men of merit or high character ! Do you know how many kids , families and communities he’s helped , carried and encouraged. Public trust shouldn’t just be held or measured by those who clearly only see race .. you said DEI hire but Officer Fenderson not only fonshed undergrad with high athletic honors he did them academically as well , NO DEI !! Your ignorance makes it so easy to see your racist passive aggressive comments .
Why do you people commit 60% of violent crime, when you only represent 13% of the population? It’s called per capita. It’s your nature. You’re violent people with low impulse control. Facts ain’t racist.
“You people” says the I’m not racist person
Read the name, dipshit. I don’t care if you call me a racist. That only means I’m right. Check the stats
I stopped reading at “man of color”. SMH
LaVontay didndonuffin!
That’s reparations overtime pay.
Y’all rascist!
Your a fool T Johnson, nothing about color, he did it.. again for the hard of hearing he confessed to embezzlement. In what world does that make me ignorant? Racist passive aggressive comments, HE IS Guilty. Do you know how many people he has hurt because of his embarrassment? So much for high character. Keep standing for your brother, I am sure you got some of that kick back money to help pay your bills TJ, clown.