VFW manager charged with stealing funds in Eau Claire

A woman who managed a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post is facing theft charges. Jennifer Simonson, 42, from Eau Claire, is accused of stealing between $10,000 and $100,000 from the VFW. Police became involved last June after an accountant noticed nearly $80,000 was unaccounted for. This discovery was made when money deposited did not match the receipts. The missing cash was supposed to be stored in a safe at the post. Only Simonson and one other person had access to it, and the other person reported the discrepancy to the police. The criminal complaint reveals Simonson did not consistently fill out tracking slips and only provided bank receipts for deposits. When VFW officials suggested new measures to track cash, she refused to cooperate. Investigators found that during a week she was on vacation, the deposit amounts only slightly changed, indicating minor errors. Video footage reviewed by investigators showed Simonson taking cash from the VFW safe and putting it into her purse. Additionally, her bank records showed she made large cash deposits around the same time as VFW deposits, including a $10,000 deposit into her personal account. When questioned, Simonson claimed confusion over the missing funds and denied taking any money. After being interviewed by authorities, she stopped working at the VFW. The theft charge against her is a Class G felony, which could lead to a ten-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $25,000 if convicted. Simonson has posted a $15,000 bond for her release. She is prohibited from contacting the VFW and cannot handle cash or finances for any person or business while the case is ongoing. Her next court hearing is set for May 6.