ISSAQUAH — U.S. Marshals arrested Ronald Wisner in Arizona late last week in connection with a $2.6 million estate theft case in Issaquah, Washington. Wisner faces 22 criminal counts in King County, including theft and money laundering.
The case stems from the death of 73-year-old Michael Flegle, who died in a house fire in Issaquah in 2024. Prosecutors allege that Wisner illegally took control of Flegle’s estate after his death and funneled more than $1 million through financial accounts. According to prosecutors, Wisner sold Flegle’s car six days after his death.
Wisner submitted documents to gain control of the estate, including one presented as Flegle’s last will and testament. "The witnesses who allegedly signed the will were both dead," said attorney Karen Bertram, noting they died in April 2024.
Wisner also failed to submit a required oath affirming he had no felony convictions when applying to control the estate. "Mr. Wisner, at that time, had already been convicted of 11 felonies, so under Washington law, he could not serve as the personal representative of an estate," she said. Despite these irregularities, Wisner took control of Flegle’s assets, wrote checks, and moved large sums of money.
Court documents state that Wisner told authorities he and Flegle were friends. Authorities do not know for sure how Wisner identified Flegle, but prosecutors suggested Flegle’s name may have been published on the medical examiner's website. "We don't know for sure how he found Mr. Flegle's name, but one way he might have would be because Mr. Flegle's name was published on the medical examiner's website," said senior deputy prosecuting attorney Chris Fyall in an April interview.
A bank investigator flagged Wisner’s financial activity as suspicious. King County Detective Robin Fry tracked the transactions.