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Wausau ethics board finds probable cause in complaint against Mayor Doug Denny; hearing set for April 30
Summary
The Wausau Ethics Board voted to find probable cause that Mayor Doug Denny exceeded his authority by removing a locked absentee ballot drop box, and scheduled a hearing for April 30 at 4 p.m.; the board subpoenaed the city clerk and city attorney to appear.
At a meeting of the Wausau Ethics Board, members voted to adopt preliminary findings that there is probable cause to believe Mayor Doug Denny violated the Wausau ethics code by interfering with the municipal clerk’s plan to deploy an absentee ballot drop box.
The board’s outside counsel, Attorney Eric Larson, defined the standard the body used: “A reasonable ground for belief, supported by facts and circumstances, strong enough in themselves to warrant a prudent person to believe that a violation of the chapter probably has been committed.” The board voted 4–0 with one abstention to conclude its investigation and to adopt the draft finding that probable cause exists.
Why it matters: The board’s finding moves the matter from investigation to an adjudicative hearing, where the board will consider testimony and evidence and may issue final determinations and sanctions under chapter 2.03 of the Wausau Municipal Ordinances (the city’s ethics code).
What the…
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