COON VALLEY, Wis. – According to written report from the Coon Valley Police Department a 46-year-old Westby man was sentenced to 90 days in jail, two years probation, and paid $200,000 in restitution for committing fraud against an elderly person while working as a contractor.
According to the report, In the fall of 2023, family members discovered their relative had been defrauded by a contractor who, over the course of several years, charged payments for services never performed and products not built or purchased. Coon Valley Police opened an investigation, executed search warrants, and subsequently arrested Christopher Anderson of Westby, Wis., then age 46.
The Vernon County District Attorney’s Office filed the following criminal charges against Mr. Anderson:
- Theft by Contractor (felony)
- Theft by False Representation (felony)
- Two misdemeanor counts of Theft of Moveable Property
All charges were modified by the statute regarding crimes against elderly persons.
In late March 2025, a diversion agreement was reached, between the prosecution and defense, in which Mr. Anderson was found guilty of both theft charges, while the theft by contractor charge remains in “deferred prosecution or sentence” status.
The theft by false representation charge was dismissed as a part of the agreement. The agreement and sentencing include 90 days jail, two years of probation, and other requirements. $200,000 of restitution has been repaid.
In the statement the Coon Valley Police Department expressed their appreciation to the Westby Police Department for their assistance in search warrants, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in search warrants and with evidence, the District Attorney’s office for the abundance of complicated work in the prosecution process and seeing it through, and the victim family for information provided and for their patience throughout the investigation and prosecution.
The statement goes on to say while many issues with contractors are civil in nature and need to be resolved with civil litigation, this was not one of those cases and the Coon Valley Police Department takes seriously issues of fraud, misrepresentation, or crimes against vulnerable persons.
If you believe you or a loved one is being defrauded, please contact your local law enforcement agency, the District Attorney’s Office, or a private attorney to ask questions about the circumstances.
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