2 Former Top Officials At UW-Oshkosh Plead Not Guilty

Two former officials at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh are each pleading not guilty to five felony charges for misconduct in public office.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice accuses the two of allegedly guaranteeing loans for five development projects using funds from the school’s foundation.

Former Chancellor Richard Wells and former Vice Chancellor Thomas Sonnleitner are accused of “misconduct in public office by act in excess of lawful authority” for allegedly signing agreements backing up loans for: the Oshkosh Premier Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center; the Rosendale biodigester; the Witzel biodigester; an alumni welcome and conference center; and the Oshkosh Sports Complex.

The criminal complaints states the two did so “knowingly.”

University foundations are supposed to operate separately from their campuses and the UW System.

The UW-Oshkosh Foundation has declared bankruptcy and is roughly $14.5 million in the red.

Well’s and Sonnleitner’s attorneys filed motions Friday to dismiss the case.

Well’s attorney, Ray Dall’Osto, says the state’s complaint doesn’t include testimony from direct witnesses.

“The criminal complaint alleges no specific facts showing that the defendants, while serving as chancellor and vice chancellor of Administrative Services, engaged in acts which either were known by them at the time to be in excess of their lawful authority or which acts the defendants knew at the time that they were specifically forbidden by law to undertake,” Dall’Osto said.

If convicted, the men could each face fines of up to $10,000 on each charge along with three-and-a-half years in prison, meaning Wells and Sonnleitner, both in their 70s, could face up to $50,000 in fines and 17.5 years in prison.

Each are free on a $10,000 signature bond and will appear in court next at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.