The Associated Press
LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. -- The mayor of Alexandria, Ind., has been charged with one count of theft for allegedly stealing $100 worth of 25-cent tokens during a riverboat cruise.
Dearborn County prosecutors filed the charge against James R. Wehsollek on Monday.
Mr. Wehsollek is accused of stealing the tokens during a cruise on the Argosy casino during the night of July 9 or early morning hours of July 10, said Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. David Bursten. Another gambler on that cruise contacted authorities aboard the boat and claimed that some of his tokens were stolen, Sgt. Bursten said. The patron, whom police did not identify, told the authorities where he'd been when the tokens were taken.
An Indiana State Police detective working on the boat along with Argosy security officers reviewed surveillance video tapes, which led police to question Mr. Wehsollek, Sgt. Bursten said. Both the mayor and his wife, Nancy, were questioned and released. Mr. Wehsollek was stopped for questioning in connection with an investigation, Mr. Wehsollek's attorney, Jeff Lockwood said. Mr. Wehsollek answered questions, then he was allowed to leave. "No one asked him to turn any tokens back to Argosy or anyone else," Mr. Lockwood said.
The Class D felony theft charge was filed late Monday morning, according to the Dearborn County prosecutor's office. A conviction of a Class D felony carries a prison sentence of six months to three years and a fine up to $10,000. Mr. Lockwood said he thinks the incident is likely a misunderstanding.
"I've got to think it is," Mr. Lockwood said. "I just don't see Jim Wehsollek going down there stealing money from a casino." "I'm sure whatever this is, is wrong," said Tamara Humphries, president of the Alexandria City Council. "There's no way he would ever steal anything from anybody. I'm sure whatever they're saying, there's something else to this."
Don Lynch, another city council member, also stands behind Mr. Wehsollek, a Republican.
"I have always considered him a very fine gentleman," Mr. Lynch said, pointing out that he and Mr. Wehsollek are of opposite political parties. "As of right now, I consider him a very fine mayor."
Mr. Wehsollek was elected in November 1995 after defeating Democrat Mary Jo Bradburn, 1,464 to 527.
Before he was elected mayor, he was a judge for the Alexandria City Court.
He also is a retired elementary school principal and high school teacher, football coach and athletic director in the Alexandria schools system.
