Committee refers proposed Wilbur settlement borrowing to council; budget office outlines $9M total debt cost over 10 years

The Finance & Personnel Committee on May 7 referred to the Common Council, without recommendation, a request to authorize roughly $6.96 million in 2025 contingent borrowing to fund settlement of litigation brought by Danny Wilbur against the City of Milwaukee and named officers.

City Attorney Evan Goike briefed the committee on the background: Wilbur was convicted in 2005; a federal judge granted a new trial after finding Wilbur had been visibly shackled during closing arguments, and the Seventh Circuit affirmed that ruling. The Milwaukee County district attorney declined to retry the case; Wilbur's lawyers subsequently filed suit in federal court against the city and named officers. "These cases where individuals spent many years in prison are very difficult," Goike said. The parties mediated in February and March, and the settlement reflected in the borrowing request was reached…