Atty. Kowalke faces charges
Wed, 08/01/2018 - 1:42pm
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Cresco - Attorney Todd William Kowalke, age 56 of Cresco, Iowa, was charged with the first degree theft of over $35,000 on July 19, 2018. He appeared in court on July 23, with bond set at $10,000.
Kowalke is charged with the theft from the estate of Violet Brokken, of which Manley Bigalk is executor.
According to papers filed, the Cresco Police Department requested that Special Agent Wayne MacGlaughlin investigate the theft of estate funds.
The investigation discovered through extensive bank and casino records reviews, as well as court transcript reviews and the interview of the suspect, that he did in fact take money not belonging to him from the Brokken Estate.
During a court hearing, Kowalke stated to the presiding judge, John Bauercamper, he no longer had the funds.
He offered new council to the estate and told the executor he would repay “every penny.”
During an interview at his law office, Special Agents MacGlaughlin and Jason Winter noted Kowalke said he took the money during the summer of 2017 until it was exhausted.
He used the money for gambling and business and personal expenses.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10 at 11 a.m.
Kowalke is being prosecuted by Denise A. Timmons, Assistant Iowa Attorney General as Howard County Attorney Kevin Schoeberl cannot do so because of a conflict of interest.
