Wausau Ethics Board delays hearing in complaint against Mayor Doug Denny

The Wausau Ethics Board on Tuesday voted to adjourn the evidentiary hearing in the pending complaint against Mayor Doug Denny and set a special meeting to consider recently filed motions and procedural steps.

The board voted unanimously to move the hearing scheduled for Sept. 5 to a later date — no later than the second Friday in October — and scheduled a meeting for 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, to review filings, address prehearing motions and set a firm date for the evidentiary hearing. Board counsel was asked to prepare a notice releasing outstanding subpoenas for the Sept. 5 date and to reissue subpoenas once a new hearing date is set.

Why it matters: The adjournment responds to new filings by the respondent and to efforts to complete depositions of two city officials the respondent says are needed for the mayor’s defense. Board members and counsel said they need time to review a second motion to dismiss, an alternative motion to adjourn and a motion for reconsideration filed by the respondent the day before this meeting.

Board discussion and what prompted the delay

Chairman Dexter opened the meeting by reviewing earlier procedural rulings, including that at a previous meeting the board had granted the respondent’s motion to dismiss as to "18 U.S. Code section 595" but denied other parts of a prior motion and an…