Tim Ryan, tryan@shawanoleader.com
Two Kaukauna brothers have been charged with swindling the North Star Casino out of more than $10,000 by passing fraudulent checks.
Arrest warrants were issued Thursday for Darren M. Olson, 43, and Fred W. Olson, 42.
A criminal complaint alleges the brothers passed 16 bogus checks at the casino totaling $11,239 in February and March 2013. Minus fees for cashing the checks, the pair netted $10,930, according to the complaint.
The checks bore the imprint of Dolson Contracting Services out of Green Bay, but an investigation by Shawano County sheriff’s detectives found the company was no longer in business, according to the complaint. The complaint also states some of the checks had the same check numbers.
All of the 16 checks were apparently authorized by the same casino cage/vault supervisor, according to the complaint. The complaint states one of the brothers often called the casino to make sure that person was working before coming in and cashing the checks.
No one else is charged in connection with the case.
Darren and Fred Olson are each charged with one count of theft-false representation, which carries a maximum possible penalty of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted.
Darren Olson is also charged with issuance of a worthless check, which carries a maximum 3 1/2 years and $10,000 fine.
According to court records, both brothers are also facing felony charges in other counties.
Darren Olson is charged with felony credit card fraud in Outagamie County, and a warrant for his arrest was issued last month, according to court records.
A warrant was also issued for Darren Olson in December in Winnebago County on a felony charge of theft-false representation. According to court records, he failed to show up for a plea and sentencing hearing in the case. He is also charged in a separate Winnebago County case with a felony count of issuing worthless checks.
Court records also show a warrant issued for his arrest in Manitowoc County on a felony charge of theft by contractor.
According to court records, Fred Olson is facing a felony charge of forgery in Winnebago County. He was freed on a $1,000 signature bond in that case on Monday.
Court records also show Fred Olson is scheduled for a jury trial in Brown County next month on felony burglary and bail-jumping charges. He was released on a $20,000 signature bond in that case on Dec. 23, according to court records.
Court records also show he faces a felony count of theft-false representation in Ozaukee County.