DOOR COUNTY, Wis. – An 80-year-old man from Door County, Dale Pautsch, is facing accusations of scamming thousands of dollars from multiple victims while pretending to be a tax advisor or wealth manager. Authorities suspect there may be additional victims yet to be identified.
The Door County Sheriff’s Office announced Pautsch’s arrest for theft last week, following an extensive investigation conducted in collaboration with the Sturgeon Bay Police Department. On Thursday, officers executed search warrants at a residence in the Town of Nasewaupee and a business in the Town of Gardner, leading to Pautsch’s arrest.
Pautsch appeared in court last Friday and remains in custody with a $20,000 cash bond. He faces several charges, including:
- One count of Money Laundering (Knowingly Receive/Acquire Proceeds Over $10,000 to $100,000), classified as a crime against an elderly or disabled person.
- One count of Theft (Business Setting over $10,000 – $100,000), classified as a crime against an elderly or disabled person.
- One count of Theft (Business Setting Over $100,000), classified as a crime against an elderly or disabled person.
- One count of Money Laundering (Knowingly Receive/Acquire Proceeds Over $100,000), classified as a crime against an elderly or disabled person.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities encourage anyone with information about Pautsch or his business, ROS Consultants Inc., to contact Investigator Jon Gilson at the Door County Sheriff’s Office at 920-746-2555 or Sgt. Investigator Luke Diebele at the Sturgeon Bay Police Department at 920-746-2429.
According to the criminal complaint, Pautsch was involved in laundering stolen funds misrepresented as investments or “wealth management.” Two victims are specifically mentioned in the complaint. One victim, who was 79 at the time, reported that Pautsch managed her taxes and financial investments. Allegations state that he deposited funds from this victim into an account under his wife’s name, using the money for personal expenses unrelated to the victim’s needs.
The complaint also details a second victim, from whom Pautsch allegedly set up a “wealth management” account. Funds taken from this victim were reportedly used to cover operating costs for Pautsch’s business, the Little Brown Jug, without the victim’s permission.
The complaint notes a total loss of $610,400.13, stating that when the victim attempted to withdraw money from the wealth management account in May, the bank revealed the account had been emptied and closed in January 2023. When confronted, Pautsch allegedly yelled at the victim without providing an explanation for the missing funds.
Investigators found that Pautsch held multiple accounts at Associated Bank containing illegally obtained assets. When a formal request was made to freeze his accounts at Nicolet National Bank, the branch manager expressed familiarity with Pautsch, stating he had scammed many clients by posing as a tax advisor.
Upon his arrest, Pautsch reportedly claimed, “I have been an honest businessman for over 20 years. I didn’t do anything.” Investigators noted that during their inquiries, they believed Pautsch was attempting to liquidate his properties in preparation for moving out of the country. His long-time girlfriend informed investigators that he intended to sell the Little Brown Jug and his home to relocate to Belize.
