HVAC business owner, city official sent to federal prison

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge has sentenced a former Beloit official to prison for using city money to purchase personal items.

According to court documents, Timothy Kosier was authorized to purchase supplies and equipment in his position as city water maintenance supervisor. Last June an anonymous city worker tipped city officials that Kosier was using city money to purchase personal supplies.

Investigators determined Kosier purchased items such as furnaces and water heaters for his personal use and for his heating-and-cooling business. Prosecutors also said he approved payment on fraudulent invoices a city contractor submitted.

Kosier fled. He was arrested in Hawaii in August. U.S. District Judge William Conley sentenced Kosier on Wednesday to 3 years in prison and ordered him to pay $854,825 in restitution.

Kosier’s attorney, Jack Hoag, didn’t return messages.