Marathon County Warns of Fake Park Personnel Issuing Violation Notices

Boat Launch Users Advised to Be Cautious

OnFocus – Marathon County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of an individual posing as a Parks Department employee at various boat launches throughout the county. The man looks for any vehicles that failed to pay the boat launch permit, waits for the owner to return, and demands they pay a $50 violation fee direct to him.

“This individual is not employed by the Parks Department and anyone who has this individual approach them should not give him any money directly,” Marathon County Parks Department said in a statement. “They should contact either the Wausau Police Department or Marathon County Sheriffs Office at 715-261-1200. Both agencies are aware of this unidentified individual and are attempting to locate and identify him.”

They also stated that all Parks Department employees will be driving official county vehicles and they will NOT demand money from anyone directly. If a launch pass violation is observed by staff, they will issue a notice to the offending party. That notice does have a fine associated with it. The fine is only paid by the individual putting the fine in the provided envelope and placing it in either a pay tube at the boat launch, paying the fee at the Parks Department Office in Wausau, or by mailing the fee to the Parks Department within 10 days.

Money should never be given directly to an employee at the Boat Launch.

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