This really sucks. I hope they put this guy away for a long time and get their money back.

http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional- ... y/25841952

As far as I'm concerned, people like Krause have a special place in hell with their name on it... What I find even more disgusting is that this guy had a huge amount of trust put in him because of how much he was doing. But, of course, he wasn't very smart. Because he didn't make efforts to cover his tracks, he got caught. But just because he got caught doesn't mean that the WK&S can get the money back, especially if its already been spent.
Obviously people will keep coming (and generating income as a result) but it'll take time to get the coffers back to the proper levels...

Wasn't an expensive piece of equipment also stolen from the WK&S a few weeks ago (a welding machine??)??

How could that large amount of missing money not be discovered in an audit?

Lesson learned here. Even in a small organization you need some separation of financial duties. Simple steps like the person who makes deposits cannot also sign checks, or the bank statements are mailed directly to someone who does not have direct access to the bank account. Or two signatures are required on checks over $x.

Wesley

This story also raises the issue of convicted sex offenders volunteering at family-oriented attractions such as this one. Some organizations require criminal background checks of all staff, volunteer and paid alike.

It just shows the need for checks and balances and close control of the money.

I have a friend who was convicted with stealing from her employer as well as another organization. We knew her, sweet lady, middle aged, with a family, stable home life. No drugs or drinking to excess. Not at all what you'd picture her doing.

Turns out she'd become addicted to gambling. She ended up paying the money back and going to counseling, not sure how the legal end of it unfolded, I think they waived jail time if she paid it back.

My point is that if you had to pick somebody who'd steal from the company, she'd probably have been one of the last people you'd suspect. I'm sure she's not alone.

Most annoying. I'm sure a lot of people worked hard to get that money. And, of course, we all know that most organizations we belong to never seem to have an excess of funds.

Hopefully there can be some form of restitution worked out. The article says he didn't answer the door at his house. If it is his house, not a rental, he must have some equity in it that can be used. Unfortunately, the wheels of justice move at glacial speed in cases like this.

In many cases, they wouldn't find anything. Often it's a "crime of opportunity" rather than a serial criminal saying "Hey, I need some money! I know, I'll go volunteer at the tourist railway and rip them off, they're rolling in dough!" Uh, yeah, not...

On this guy, they would have found out that he's a sex offender. Child porn, 15 years ago. That's a whole different can of worms. Do you ban him from ever working with your organization? Do you place restrictions on him, such as no working in activities involving children? If he's selling tickets, would that be considered working with children?

What would they have done with that info? He's apparently served his time, if that applies. Did he learn from his mistakes, or just get better at hiding his crimes? Who gets to make the call of whether or not this person can be a volunteer?

I doubt it would have tipped them off that he was going to rob them. I also doubt he had any prior theft convictions, since if he did, they most likely would have been noted in the article.

In theory, this stuff is easy. In practice, it can be very challenging.

Back in 1975, the Lionel Collectors' Club of America, founded in 1970, already required that officers be bonded, I chink at the club's expense. By 1977, money was missing from the treasury, and the bond on the Treasurer provided some reimbursement. Maybe others can follow part of that example?

I actually had an interesting interaction with Mr. Krause via email regarding making a DVD of the railroad for the 50th anniversary, since I did film of the celebration/festivities/speeches, etc.. He even asked me how much it would cost to make the DVD's, and he (via the railroad) would fund the costs upfront in exchange for some DVD's for free. However, when I delayed giving a dollar amount and wanted more information first, he never responded back to any emails after that. Makes me very glad that I didn't go through with the DVD. It's a shame too, I would have loved to have done it to help the WK&S people out.

What I haven't seen (so far) is how this theft was discovered and whether any money was stolen in prior years.

I just wonder if they 're holding that info back for the trial.

Also, is this tourist road a non profit or are they privately owned?

Bob H

WK&S is a non-profit.

Even MORE non-profit, now...

If you are ever in the area, WK&S is well worth visiting. Just the right amount of equipment, including the nicest kept GE centercabs I've ever seen, and a nice ride. Nice people as well; I hope they ride this setback out OK.