Fraud on Hotel or Restaurant Keeper.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 110-32
in effect110-32. Fraud on Hotel or Restaurant Keeper.
1. UNLAWFUL. Whoever does either of the following within the limits of the city shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $500 or upon default of payment may be imprisoned in the house of correction of Milwaukee county for not more than 60 days:
a. Having obtained any food, lodging or other service or accommodation at any hotel, motel, boarding or lodging house, or restaurant, intentionally absconds without paying for it.
b. While a guest at any hotel, motel, boarding or lodging house or restaurant, intentionally defrauds the keeper thereof in any transaction arising out of such relationship as guest.
2. INTENT TO DEFRAUD. Under this section, prima facie evidence of an intent to defraud is shown by:
a. The refusal of payment upon presentation when due, and the return unpaid of any bank check or order for the payment of money, given by any guest to any hotel, motel, boarding or lodging house, or restaurant, in payment of any obligation arising out of such relationship as guest. Such facts shall also be deemed prima facie evidence of an intent to abscond without payment.
b. The failure or refusal of any guest at a hotel, motel, boarding or lodging house or restaurant, to pay, upon written demand, the established charge for food, lodging or other service or accommodation actually rendered.
c. The giving of false information on a lodging registration form or the presenting of false or fictitious credentials for the purpose of obtaining lodging or credit.
d. The drawing, endorsing, issuing or delivering to any hotel, motel, boarding or lodging house, or restaurant, of any check, draft or order for payment of money upon any bank or other depository, in payment of established charges for food, lodging or other service or accommodation, knowing at the time that there is not sufficient credit with the drawee bank or other depository for payment in full of the instrument drawn.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH110.pdf#page=6Fetched: 10/26/2026