Police Investigating Possible Fraud at Shorewood Intermediate School

Shorewood police are investigating possible fraud or embezzlement of funds from .

Police Chief David Banaszynski denied an open records request filed a couple weeks ago by Shorewood Patch, but confirmed Tuesday there is an active investigation into possible fraud within the district.

Banaszynski declined to comment further. 

A source said the alleged fraud is in excess of $50,000, however, police and school officials would not confirm that figure. The source said the case was initially reported to the local middle school and other school officials last spring.

Another source with knowledge of the situation said there was fraud, but that it is no longer taking place, and all information has been turned over to police.

Shorewood Superintendent Blane McCann declined to comment Tuesday, citing the ongoing investigation.

In response to Patch's request to inspect police records, Banaszysnksi cited a state statue that “prohibits release of such records or information relating to the current investigation of a possible crime offense or misconduct with employment by an employee prior to disposition of the investigation."

He also cited a 2002 state Supreme Court case that outlined the public policy of maintaining confidentiality of police records during an ongoing investigation.

He also added the release of any records would compromise the department's investigation.