(Facebook.com)
KENOSHA, Wis. – A former City of Kenosha employee who was charged earlier this year with stealing rebate checks from the city’s Parks Department has now pleaded guilty to the charge.
Jamie D. Watkins, a 54-year-old arborist formerly employed by the city, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor theft. The court accepted the plea and found him guilty. He will be sentenced on July 2, 2025.
The Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office refused to offer a plea deal or reduce the charge. Judge Gerad Dougvillo remarked during the hearing that a plea agreement in this case “is against the public interest.”
City Administrator John Morrissey told KCE that Watkins resigned from his city position on February 27, 2025—the same day as his initial court appearance. Watkins had previously been placed on paid leave after the theft was discovered.
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 Rosa Maria Watkins and Jamie D. Watkins.
Detective Buchanan presented still images from the surveillance footage to Menards employees, including Katie Elder, Samantha Schuirmann, and Ashley Aho. 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, city employee Ms. Hoff 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.
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17 Responses
…for root beer and gummy bears ??
Gotta feed that Sweet Tooth !!!!
Shop at Lowe’s or Home Depot, everything about Menards is cheap and their 11% rebate is a joke.
Absolutely. The rebate is a scam
Really? And what exactly are you being scammed out of with 11% percent off rebate?
Scam is the wrong word. It’s the same thing all rebates are. They can act like its a sale, but most people forget to do the rebate. And those that remember have to wait while menards invests their rebate money in whatever. I wouldn’t call it a scam. All of the big box tool stores have their pros and cons. I miss when Lowes used to have competing rebates.
If you mail in the rebate form and if you get a rebate in the mail the rebate is not cash in hand. It’s forcing you to go back to the store and spend money on products that they will make another profit
https://www.complaintsboard.com/menards-rebate-scam-c313220
That doesn’t make it a scam, because they make sure you know that up front and every advertisement. If you are a regular customer of Menards you happily accept rebates in whatever quantity they are willing to send them. If you think they have no value look what just happened here 🤣
And what does that have to do with this article?
Nothing. Some people have to have something to complain about.
Absolutely nuttin.
A plea bargain is not in the public’s best interests. Too bad Steinbrink didn’t get this same treatment.
Jamie didndonuffin!
He needed those rebates for Just for Men Beard dye.
What a d-bag
Such foolish conduct. How was it possibly worth it?
Good to hear , this guy has been a low life for years ! JUSTICE SERVED
My prediction? Nothing will happen to this idiot .
So it is written . So it shall be.
Maybe he was raised by parents who worked at AMC?