WAUSAU, Wis., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A nationwide warrant has been issued in Wisconsin for a convicted bigamist wanted in a felony forgery case, authorities say.
Calumet County Circuit Court officials said Tim Swinea, 46, failed to show up Monday for a hearing on the forgery charges, the Wausau Daily Herald reported Tuesday. His absence prompted the judge to issue the warrant for his arrest.
Swinea could be sent to prison for 12 years if convicted on the forgery charges.
A former girlfriend, Penny Schoenke of Menasha, has accused Swinea of stealing thousands of dollars from her business in an elaborate check-kiting scheme.
Swinea had been sentenced on the bigamy conviction Aug. 1 in Marathon County Circuit Court to the four months he had served plus three years probation. His ex-wife, Dawn Paglini of Weston, had told authorities she learned in December he had been married to a Missouri woman since 1992 and had three children with her.
Since Swinea had never divorced, Paglini had her marriage to him annulled in March.
The newspaper said attempts to reach an attorney for Swinea were unsuccessful.
