GREEN LAKE, Wis. (Scripps News Milwaukee) — Ryan Borgwardt , the Wisconsin man who faked his own drowning and left his wife and three children to go to Eastern Europe, was sentenced to 89 days in county jail. He will also be required to pay $30,000 in restitution.

Ryan Borgwardt appears in court at his plea hearing Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (Court TV)

Borgwardt appeared in court on Tuesday for a plea agreement and sentencing hearing on a charge of obstructing an officer. While a sentence of 45 days was agreed upon by the defense and the prosecutor, the judge sentenced Borgwardt to 89 days, which is the equivalent of the amount of time it took law enforcement to contact him after he faked his death.

Borgwardt told authorities that he faked his death because of “personal matters.” He said

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