A Wausau, Wisconsin, man is facing federal charges after allegedly defrauding more than 120 investors out of $15 million and using the funds to purchase an extensive collection of powersports vehicles, including over 300 snowmobiles, motocross bikes, and race cars.
Stanley Pophal, 63, was arrested June 15 and has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin. Authorities say the fraudulent investment scheme ran from 2019 through early 2025.
According to the criminal complaint, Pophal marketed promissory notes to investors, promising high-guaranteed returns — some as high as 30% to 40%. He allegedly lured victims by claiming to be a wealthy businessman, falsely asserting ties to successful companies and showing off photos of boats and snowmobiles to project an image of financial success.
Prosecutors say that instead of investing the funds, Pophal used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle. In addition to the snowmobiles, he allegedly purchased motocross bikes, race cars, and made luxury payments for personal expenses. To maintain the illusion of legitimate investments, he reportedly used funds from new investors to make payments to earlier ones — known as “lulling payments.”
The complaint, which was unsealed in June, outlines how Pophal operated without a steady source of income since 2010, and yet convinced dozens of people to invest tens of thousands of dollars each. In one case cited by investigators, an investor wired Pophal $50,000 after hearing promises about flipping commercial properties into apartments. According to the affidavit, the funds were instead used for a $35,000 contractor payment related to Pophal’s business.
For powersports dealers, this case serves as an unusual yet cautionary reminder of how high-end vehicles — including snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and racing equipment — can be purchased using funds tied to fraud. While there is no indication that any dealers were involved in wrongdoing, the volume of vehicle purchases underscores the importance of being aware of suspicious transactions, particularly in high-dollar private sales. The snowmobile fraud case has sparked national media attention due to its scale and its connection to the powersports
market. Dealers and manufacturers should remain vigilant
for financial red flags, particularly when customers make bulk or luxury-level purchases that deviate from normal patterns.
Powersports Business’ sister publication Snow Goer recently reported that the Visit Keweenaw organization will contribute $100,000 worth of grants to local organizations. The money is accumulated through a lodging tax paid by visitors to the area. It is then distributed within Keweenaw in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula into things that cause people to visit — which includes snowmobiling.
This year’s recipients, according to a story in the Mining Gazette newspaper, include bike and ski parks, a Finnish-American heritage organization, a land trust, a road commission, and a big chunk to the Keweenaw Snowmobile and Keweenaw ATV clubs.
Money for snowmobiling
The snowmobile and ATV clubs are getting a $20,000 boost to help build out the a trailhead in the city of Calumet, the Mining Gazette also reported.
Snow Goer also noted that it has ridden out of that trailhead over the years, and it can fill up or get very crowded in a hurry.
With the money, the trailhead will be expanded and improved — which includes adding more space for trucks and trailers, according to Visit Keweenaw Public Relations and Events Coordinator Jesse Wiederhold.
He told the newspaper that the work on the trailhead will make it the largest north of the famous Portage Lake Lift Bridge that connects the two Michigan cities Hancock and Houghton.
Kudos to the Visit Keweenaw group for recycling the money into such great causes, and to the Mining Gazette for giving it the coverage it deserves.
A new twist is coming to one of New England’s most celebrated collector car events. The Green Mountain Roamers Snowmobile Club has announced the launch of the Vintage Snowmobile & Powersports Show, debuting Aug. 8–10 as part of the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts (VAE) Antique and Classic Car Meet at Farr’s Field in Waterbury, Connecticut.
The new exhibit will showcase powersports machines model year 2000 and older, including vintage snowmobiles, dirt bikes, three-wheelers, and early ATVs. Organized by Roamers trailmaster Steve Torrey, the goal is to celebrate Vermont’s four-season motorized heritage and bring new energy to the long-running VAE event.
“Crossing genres between sleds, ATVs, and dirt bikes, we’re hoping to bring the powersports community together in a way that hasn’t been done before at this event,” Torrey says.
This year’s show will be a non-judged exhibition focused on storytelling, preservation, and community, though informal awards will be handed out Sunday in categories such as Most Unique and Best of Show.
More info is available by contacting the Green Mountain Roamers at greenmountainroamers@gmail.com.