MANITOWOC COUNTY (NBC 26) — The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office says a former Metro Drug Unit lieutenant has been charged with one count of misconduct in office.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice began their investigation after an internal audit was conducted in February this year, revealing that "several thousand dollars" from certain funds were not properly deposited into designated accounts.
This charge reflects solely on the actions of one individual and does not represent the 113 dedicated and hardworking members of the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say David Remiker, the former lieutenant charged in this case, retired from the sheriff's office on Jan. 31.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by NBC 26, Remiker worked for the sheriff's office for 31 years, spending the last 15 overseeing the Metro Drug Unit.
According to the complaint, the audit began after an incident involving Remiker was reported to deputies in January. Remiker admitted to taking a $40 item at a basketball game in Oshkosh. He was placed on administrative leave pending investigation of the conduct.
In the complaint, shortly after, it was disclosed to Remiker that an audit would be conducted on the "buy funds" as he was responsible for "the disbursement" of those funds — used "specifically for the purpose of controlled buy usage in the metro drug unit". At this time, Remiker requested to "put something back", but the request was denied. The complaint shows Remiker then "got down on his hands and knees and begged for us (sheriffs) to let him make it right".
Deputies say Remiker was responsible for seizing asset forfeitures — or properly releasing and dispersing money seized from investigations.
The audit revealed "a possible discrepancy in the movements and activity involving the asset forfeitures" as sheriffs looked through Remiker's work station and previous assignments. Information was discovered about unaccounted funds from 2017 through 2023, and the complaint goes on to list the amount of funds allegedly missing from each year.
Deputies say the total amount from missing funds add up to over $15,500.
Remiker could not explain where the unaccounted funds could be, stating "it had to be somewhere, but was not sure where". He also stated that what happened "was a mistake that I will regret for the rest of my life, I can’t even explain it”, according to the complaint.
Remiker is scheduled to appear in Waushara County Court on Dec. 12 at 9:00 a.m.
