Milwaukee Post
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/537114
By BRIAN HUBER Conley News Service MILWAUKEE — A year and a half after a civil suit was filed against them in Waukesha, two Waukesha County men were charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court last week for allegedly stealing a com- bined $229,000 from the Tripoli Shrine Temple. Colgate resident Michael Geiger, 47, the for mer potentate, or leader, of the group; and Reider Hoff, 71, of Brookfield, its former treasurer, both were charged with embezzle- ment and face up to 10 years in prison, if convict- ed. Hoff appeared in court June 26 and was released after posting $500 cash bond. He is to return to court July 14. According to a criminal c o m - p l a i n t , G e i g e r w a s potentate of the M i l w a u - k e e T r i p o l i S h r i n e Center in 2009 and e a r l y 2010, dur- ing which time he took about $205,000 from Shriner accounts without authorization, having changed the contact infor- mation on the account to his home address. The alleged thefts fol- lowed the organizations receipt of $188,000 for the Shriners Hospital for Children. But, the complaint said, Geiger sent money from the Shriner account to his personal accounts to rescue his home from foreclosure, pay the state regarding his wife's private security per- mit, pay for purchases at Sears and Califor nia Closets, and more. Hoff, normally entitled to a $4,800 annual stipend as treasurer, instead received more than $24,000 from the group from 2009 to late 2011, when he was removed as treasurer. When someone accessed Hoff's desk at the Shrine Center, about $70,000 in cash and checks was found, the complaint said. Hoff covered up the with- drawals from Shrine accounts by complex gener- al journal entries — includ- ing writing off $97,562 as "other operating expense" at the end of 2009 — and taking funds from an investment account, the complaint said. The Shriners, who also organize an annual circus in Milwaukee, received $100,000 from an insurance company to cover their losses, the complaint said. Geiger and Hoff were named in a civil suit filed against them in Waukesha County Circuit Court in late 2013, which also alleged negligence on the part of accounting fir m Reilly, Penner & Benton, for failing to catch the diver- sion of funds during a sub- sequent audit. That matter remains pending, but Hoff and the company of Hoff, LLC, have been dismissed from the action due to bankruptcy, online court r e c o r d s indicate. A m o t i o n h e a r i n g in that case is s c h e d - uled for Aug. 10. July 3, 2015 • Milwaukee County Post • 3 2 men charged in Milwaukee Shriners thefts Complaint: Ex-leader stole $205,000 while ex-treasurer worked to hide it Hoff Geiger PACKARD PLAZA MALL(N-East)Side 5656 S. Packard • 414-897-7737 245049021 Hours: Tues-Fri 10-7pm Saturday 9-5pm Wash Cloths 3 pk 50 ¢ SALE ENDS 7-10-15 SALE ENDS 7-10-15 Bathroom Tissue 25 ¢ Reusable Plastic Plates 50 ¢ Can/Bottle Opener 50 ¢ Silicone Basting Brush 75 ¢ Sunglasses 75 ¢ Butane Match 90 ¢ Dishsoap 22oz 3/$1.00 Jack Links Beef Jerky 2/$1.00 40pk Incense Sticks $1.00 Peak Anti Freeze $5.00 2 Gallon Gas Can $5.00 Collector Knives $9.00 Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Bring in this ad for these Great Deals CLOSED JULY 4 TH