Rassbach convicted in fuel fraud case

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A Glenwood City fuel dealer was convicted of defrauding customers in St. Croix County Circuit Court Friday (April 16).

John P. Rassbach, 54, pleaded no contest to five felony counts and one misdemeanor of theft by false representation and guilty to eight other misdemeanor counts. Judge Edward F. Vlack found him guilty of all 14 counts and set a sentencing hearing for June 24.

Rassbach is accused of defrauding customers of his business, Rassbach Oil Company, which sold fuel products to Wisconsin home owners and farmers.

The charges arose out of an investigation conducted by agents of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Division of Weights and Measures in conjunction with the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department.

Court records said Rassbach intentionally deceived or attempted to deceive customers to whom he sold LP gas, gasoline and fuel oil by physically “shorting” the customer by pumping a portion of the fuel back into his delivery truck, using fraudulent propane delivery invoices, and issuing duplicate and triplicate fuel delivery tickets by presenting the same ticket to multiple customers for a single fuel delivery.

Tags: crime and courts, saint croix county, news, rassbach