Leaders ask anyone who bought lots in Caledonia Village Park Cemetery to contact village

VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Leaders in the Village of Caledonia are asking anyone who bought a lot in the Caledonia Village Park Cemetery since 2010 to contact the village. 

This comes during a pending criminal investigation regarding the cemetery's former sexton, James Svoboda.

The village says staff needs to review and verify all information and records due to record keeping issues. People are asked to contact the village at 262-835-6414.

The full statement from Village Administrator Thomas Christensen can be read below:


The Village of Caledonia has received inquiries regarding the records of the Caledonia Memorial Park Cemetery. During the criminal investigation of James Svoboda, who was the Sexton of the cemetery, the Village became aware of record keeping issues in the cemetery. At this time, the Village is requesting that any individual who purchased one or more lots in the cemetery from 2010 through now contact the Village at (262) 835-6414 to provide information and copies of his or her records for those lots. Village staff will review and verify all information and records received and compare those records to the purchase records that the Village has in its possession. Village staff will get back in contact with those individuals who provided information and/or records after such review and comparison is completed.
The Village has continued to work with financial experts and law enforcement to better understand the status of the lots sold in the cemetery. Because the investigation and the criminal prosecution remain ongoing, officials of the Village of Caledonia will not be providing additional comments as the Village does not want to engage in any conduct that compromises the effectiveness or the integrity of that prosecution, and it would be irresponsible to disclose information about these pending processes.
According to Village of Caledonia, Village Administrator Tom Christensen, “I share the frustrations of the members of the public who purchased lots in the cemetery and are now concerned about the status of their lots and records. The allegations identified in the criminal complaint involving Mr. Svoboda’s conduct, specifically alleged conduct that deeply impacts something so personal as the burying of loved ones, is disheartening. We will continue to work diligently with any individuals who purchased one or more lots in the cemetery.”


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