Woman files suit against psychiatrist boyfriend after crime spree.

As reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A former Cedarburg woman who along with her psychiatrist boyfriend led police on a cross-country chase has filed a lawsuit against him alleging medical malpractice because the two began a sexual relationship while she was his patient.

Darcy J. Bogenrief, 43, alleges in the lawsuit filed in Ozaukee County Circuit Court that she sought treatment in late 2001 or early 2002 from former Thiensville psychiatrist Lyndon K. Steinhaus, 48, the two began a sexual relationship later in 2002 and he continued to be her doctor and prescribe medication for her until at least December 2006.

Steinhaus’ “conduct was negligent and in violation of the standards of care” prescribed in state law, the lawsuit alleges.

According to the lawsuit, Bogenrief “sustained severe physical, mental and emotional injury” and “loss of earning capacity and has incurred medical and related expenses in the past” and will continue to do so.

Steinhaus’ medical insurer and a state risk-sharing fund for health-care providers also are named in the lawsuit.

Bogenrief, a Marquette University Law School graduate who formerly practiced law in Illinois, and Steinhaus are each charged in Ozaukee County with misappropriating Steinhaus’ ex-wife’s identity.

They used it to open bank accounts, apply for credit cards and buy jewelry as revenge for her seeking child support, according to a criminal complaint.

They were arrested in November 2006 in Gillette, Wyo., where Steinhaus was employed as a child psychiatrist after years of practicing in Ozaukee and Washington counties, and charged with one felony count of identity theft. Steinhaus also was charged in Wyoming with 27 misdemeanor counts of illegally prescribing drugs to Bogenrief.

After posting bail in Wyoming, the pair led police on a two-week cross-country spree that included trashing a South Dakota motel room; crossing into Canada, where Bogenrief was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving; posting bond in Montana by leaving behind a BMW car; and finally being arrested in Brownsville, Tenn., when they stopped at a check cashing store to get an advance on a federal income tax refund, according to authorities and court records.

Steinhaus served nine months in jail in Gillette and then was extradited to Ozaukee County. He was freed after posting $10,000 bail and now lives in Kewaskum while awaiting trial, according to online court records. He is next due in court on July 23.

According to Wyoming court records, Bogenrief was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

She is free on a signature bond. She lives in Gillette and is under treatment there, according to court records. She is due in court Oct. 7.

Thiensville psychiatrist in court, captured after manhunt

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A former Thiensville psychiatrist who, along with his lawyer girlfriend, led police on a High Plains manhunt that ended in Tennessee this year was back in Ozaukee County Circuit Court Friday on charges he stole the identity of his ex-wife and used it to open bank accounts, apply for credit cards and buy jewelry as revenge for her seeking child support from him.

Judge Joseph D. McCormack scheduled a preliminary hearing for Tuesday in the case of Lyndon K. Steinhaus, 47, who is in custody in the Ozaukee County Jail after spending the last nine months in a Gillette, Wyo., jail.

Steinhaus and Darcy Bogenrief, 42, sent taunting e-mails to his ex-wife, a criminal complaint says.

They used the woman's identity to take an online questionnaire, "Are you a slacker mom?" and sent the results to her; purchased a subscription to the Brotherhood of Father's Rights newsletter; and filed a change of address so that her mail would be forwarded to Oregon, the complaint says.

Steinhaus and Bogenrief were arrested in Gillette on Nov. 8, 2006. Steinhaus was employed there by a hospital as a child psychiatrist after he worked for years as a psychiatrist in Ozaukee and Washington counties.

Steinhaus and Bogenrief are each charged with one felony count of identity theft for financial gain. If convicted, they could be imprisoned for six years and be fined $10,000.

Bogenrief is a Cedarburg native and a Marquette Law School graduate.

"Both of them have special needs that were the catalysts for his actions," Frank Schiro, Steinhaus' lawyer, said Friday.

After being arrested and posting bail in Wyoming, the pair took off on a two-week, cross-country spree that included crossing into Canada, where Bogenrief was arrested for suspicion of drunken driving; and posting bond in Montana by leaving behind a BMW.

They were finally arrested in Brownsville, Tenn., when they stopped at a check cashing store in an attempt to get an advance on a federal income tax refund.

When the tax preparer called the Internal Revenue Service, the preparer was alerted through the National Crime Information Center that the couple was "suspicious."

Steinhaus also was charged in Wyoming with 27 misdemeanor counts of illegally prescribing more than 3,000 tablets of Methylin and methylphenidate hydrochloride, which are closely related to the drug Ritalin, to Bogenrief from May 18 to Oct. 26.

Steinhaus served nine months in jail in Gillette on those charges and then was extradited to Ozaukee County, Schiro said.

Steinhaus is being held on a probation violation in the Ozaukee County Jail stemming from a third drunken-driving charge in Milwaukee County.

According to Wyoming court records, Bogenrief was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect for charges filed in Wyoming and was committed to a mental health facility.

Bogenrief appeared in Ozaukee County Circuit Court in September and was freed on a signature bond. McCormack allowed her to return to Wyoming to continue receiving treatment. She is due in court Nov. 12.

CCMH files suit, says psychiatrist trashed apartment

As seen in the News Record of Gillette, Wyoming.

A former Campbell County Memorial Hospital psychiatrist who is charged with identity theft is now facing a lawsuit from his former employer because he allegedly damaged the furnished apartment he subleased from the hospital.

The hospital sued Lyndon Keith Steinhaus, 47, Thursday in Campbell County District Court to try and get him to pay for $15,000 in damages they say he caused to the apartment. They are also asking for punitive damages, attorneys fees and court costs.

“(Steinhaus) has caused significant damage to the premises, including knife cuts in the furniture, stains on the furniture and the carpet, holes in the wall, knocking a door off its hinges and other significant damages to the premises,” the court documents allege.

Investigators contacted Steinhaus Nov. 30 to investigate reports that he used his ex-wife's identity to withdraw money from her account and to buy his girlfriend a tennis bracelet.

When investigators arrived, they found that his apartment was “a disaster,” according to charging documents that noted food strewn on the walls, floor and ceiling.

Darcy Jo Bogenrief, a lawyer who's Steinhaus' 41-year-old girlfriend, told investigators that he'd been drunk the past couple days and that he'd been out of control. Bogenrief, like Steinhaus, is facing felony charges of identity theft and conspiracy to commit identity theft.

Donald Percifield, who owns the apartment and leases it to the hospital, said the apartment was “just trashed” when he saw it. Garbage, beer cans and cigarette butts were all over the floors. Just about every wall had a hole in it. And something that looked like spaghetti sauce appeared to have been slopped on the walls.

“I've rented to supposedly lower-class people, and I've never had damage like this,” Percifield said. “It was unreal.”

Tom Lubnau, the hospital's attorney, said he could not comment on the case because of ethical prohibitions against talking about a case in progress.

Jeremy Michaels, Steinhaus' attorney, had not yet received notice of the case at press time and did not want to comment until he'd had a chance to review the accusations.

Psychiatrist, girlfriend suspected in identity theft case

This report from Gillette, Wyoming

Deputies arrested a former Campbell County Memorial Hospital psychiatrist and his girlfriend on suspicion of stealing someone’s identity, Sheriff Bill Pownall said.

Dr. Lyndon Keith Steinhaus, 46, and 41-year-old Darcy Jo Bogenrief came under suspicion after Ozaukee, Wis., investigators notified Campbell County deputies last week about an identity theft.

Deputies searched Steinhaus’ and Bogenrief’s Robin Drive home Thursday and discovered evidence that led to their arrest, Pownall said. The case has been forwarded to the County Attorney’s Office for review, and the two have not yet been formally charged.

Pownall said he did not have any more details about the case because the investigation report is not yet complete. He said he thinks the victim lives in Wisconsin.

“I’ll be right honest, I look for further charges,” Pownall said.

The court paperwork was not ready at press time because Steinhaus and Bogenrief were arrested based on the evidence at their home and investigators did not ask for warrants before the arrest.

The hospital terminated Steinhaus’ employment Tuesday, said Karen Clarke, a hospital spokeswoman. Clarke would not say why he was let go because it is a personnel issue.

Steinhaus and Bogenrief were scheduled to appear in Circuit Court for their initial appearance Friday afternoon.