Former Milwaukee DPW employee sentenced for embezzlement scheme that cost city hundreds of thousands

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A former Department of Public Works (DPW) employee for the city of Milwaukee was sentenced Tuesday, Sept. 17, for her role in an embezzlement scheme. 

According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), 47-year-old Kelly Whitmore-Behling was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. 

The DOJ says Whitmore-Behling and her co-defendant were responsible for disposing of vehicles and equipment the city no longer needed while employed by the Department of Public Works. 

Between June and September of 2022, they're accused of selling city vehicles and equipment for cash and pocketing most of the proceeds, while gambling "extensively" at a local casino. 

The scheme ended when DPW conducted a thorough equipment audit and suspended Whitmore-Behling and her co-defendant. 

Officials say the city lost more than $350,000 and was forced to replace needed vehicles and equipment that had gone missing. 

“Ms. Whitmore-Behling abused a position of trust and harmed not only the City itself but also every taxpayer who lives and works in Milwaukee,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Her conduct caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of loss and risked undermining public faith in city government. I commend everyone who played a role in seeking to hold Ms. Whitmore-Behling and her codefendant accountable for their actions.”