Police have arrested an Ogdensburg City Councilor in the investigation of possible fraud linked to the WWE fundraising show that took place at the Ogdensburg Golden Dome last year.
Canton-based State police investigators and the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office conducted a joint investigation into the finances surrounding two WWE events held to raise money for Ogdensburg Free Academy.
That investigation has resulted in the arrest of 47-year-old
Kresten F. Ericksen of Ogdensburg on a count of 2nd degree Forgery. Ericksen was the Student Council Advisor at the time of the WWE events. He has since resigned the position.
He remains the director of the Golden Dome, an indoor sports venue for the school district.
State Police investigators say Ericksen forged an $8,000 receipt, making it appear the WWE had been paid for the event, when in fact no such receipt had been issued by the WWE.
"Apparently the school council forwarded $8,000 to Ericksen. Ericksen was supposed to turn that money over to WWE for their staff and wrestlers for lodging," said Investigator James DiSalvo.
"And apparently some of that money was turned over to them, not the full amount. And then when asked for a receipt by the student council from Ericksen regarding the money, that's when the forged receipt was created," DiSalvo said.
About half the $8,000 is missing, Investigator Tracy Eggleston told
NewsWatch50.Eggleston said the audit of the events ordered by the school district was helpful in the investigation but there was other evidence as well.
So far Ericksen has not been charged with theft. However the investigation is continuing by State Police and District Attorney Nicole Duve. Investigator Eggleston indicated no further arrests are likely, at least based on current evidence in the case.
In early 2007, the WWE asked state police to investigate because the organization hadn't been paid.
The two WWE events in 2006 were intended to raise money for a scrolling marquee outside the Golden Dome.
Ericksen was arraigned and released without bail into the supervision of the county probation department.
A longtime member of the Ogdensburg City Council, he decided not to seek reelection this year.
