SHAWANO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The court appointed receiver managing Annie’s Campground has submitted proposed terms to sell the facility, currently owned by Ann Retzlaff, who is in jail on a variety of charges and behind on mortgage payments.
Retzlaff faces two sets of criminal charges: recklessly endangering safety charges related to a May 15, 2021, traffic stop, and disorderly conduct and bail jumping charges for an April 20 arrest on warrants related to her skipping court on the first charges. She has routinely objected to the court’s jurisdiction, citing her claims of being a “sovereign citizen.”
Separate from the criminal charges, Bank First initiated a civil action against the campground, regarding the $1.5 million in mortgages it holds on the property. The bank says there have missed payments for the loan, insurance, and taxes, so the court appointed a receiver to manage the Gresham property.
“The Receiver has determined that the best method of maximizing the value of Annie’s Campground’s assets for the benefit of its creditors is to conduct a going concern auction to sell the Assets and thereafter ask the Court to approve the highest and best offer for the Assets at a sale confirmation hearing,” a court document filed this week states. “Accordingly, the Receiver has retained an auctioneer, and hereby requests authorization to sell the Assets at auction pursuant to the Auction Terms and Procedures, free and clear of all liens, claims, leasehold interests, and encumbrances, and to disburse the net sale proceeds to the Bank up to the amount of its secured claim. Furthermore, the Receiver requests this Court determine that the ultimate purchase price for the Assets will be the value of the Bank’s collateral.”
An auction could be avoided if a “stalking horse bidder” reaches a deal before the auction date, which has not been set. A nine-page document outlines the auction procedure, with increments of at least $25,000 in each round.
The matter returns to court July 11. A ‘confirmation of sale’ hearing before the judge is scheduled for Aug. 23. A judge must approve the terms of the auction.
In the criminal cases, Retzlaff has been ordered to stand trial, but no date has been set. She remains in jail, unable to post the $15,000 cash bond.
