Former Lancaster business co-owner convicted in theft case

A former Lancaster business co-owner has been convicted in a theft case that also led to a major civil judgment. Lancaster Police say two owners of DPJ Properties and Pioneer Directories filed a complaint in December 2022, alleging the third owner, 48-year-old Jennifer Bendorf, had been stealing from the companies over an extended period. The case was investigated with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. In a related civil lawsuit brought by Pioneer Directories and the other owners, a judge entered a judgment against Bendorf for $1,163,531.90. In the criminal case, Bendorf pleaded guilty April 1st in Grant County Circuit Court to theft by trustee, a Class I felony, and was sentenced to two years’ probation and $8,559.60 in restitution.