Wausau ethics board unanimously finds Mayor Doug Denny violated municipal ethics code

The City of Wausau Ethics Board on reconvening at 5:12 p.m. adopted, by unanimous vote, a decision reached in closed session that Mayor Doug Denny violated the City of Wausau municipal ethics code.

The board’s chair moved that “the City of Wausau Ethics Board hereby adopt the decision in this matter as discussed and developed in closed session in its entirety,” saying the board “determines upon clear and convincing evidence presented in this matter that Mayor Doug Denny violated section 2.03 0.03 paragraph j of the City of Wausau municipal code” and ordering the mayor to conform his conduct to the requirements of the city ethics code. The chair directed that the chair execute the decision on behalf of the board, have it attested by the ethics board secretary, and have the secretary deliver a copy to the respondent.

The motion was seconded and carried unanimously when the clerk called the roll: Dexter, Hosler, DeVos and Kearns each answered “Yes.” The board recorded the motion as adopted in full; the board did not make additional substantive public findings during the open session beyond the adoption and the directives to execute and deliver the written decision.

After the vote, board members discussed scheduling follow-up work the board had set aside while the complaint was pending. Members agreed to attempt a mid-November meeting to resume that work and to approve hearing minutes. The board discussed possible dates of Nov. 10–13 and asked members to check availability; they agreed to try Nov. 11 at 4:30 p.m., subject to confirming availability of a quorum and of absent members. The board noted that Nov. 11 is Veterans Day and that the city’s council chambers might not be available that day depending on the time; members said meeting in another room would be acceptable if necessary.

Board members also noted one member, Kate Palmer, was not present for the vote, and the chair said staff (referred to as Cody in the meeting) would reach out to absent or incoming board members. A board member stated a quorum requires four members.

No additional disciplinary details, penalties beyond the order to conform, or timelines for compliance were stated in the open session. The board recorded that the chair would sign the decision and the secretary would attest and deliver the decision to Mayor Denny. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.