Timothy Johnson, the former superintendent of Glenwood City School District, appeared in court on Thursday to face accusations of forgery and theft.
Johnson, 52, was charged with 17 felony counts in October, including money laundering, forgery, and misconduct in office for fabricating phony paperwork. Johnson was accused of skimming $290,792 from the district during his time there.
According to court papers, more over $200,000 of that funds was intended for Johnson to pursue Viterbo University classes that he never completed.
According to a forensic accounting investigation, Johnson earned $125,000 in educational stipends that he authorized, as well as more than $75,000 in class reimbursements. Johnson was also accused of mismanaging approximately $350,000 in school district investments alongside a former district accountant.
Johnson began working for the school district in 2003 as a middle and high school principal. He was elevated to Superintendent in 2014 and served in that capacity until his resignation in 2023.
Johnson left the Glenwood City School District to become the Human Resources Executive for the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District.
He resigned from that job in January, once the probe into his previous conduct began. Following Johnson’s resignation, Chippewa Falls District officials claim they performed an internal audit that revealed no illegal spending or misuse of funds.
At Thursday’s preliminary hearing, St. Croix County Court Judge Scott Nordstrand freed Johnson on a signature bond. Further conferences are planned for December 26th and January 16th, but no trial date has been established.