Waukesha committee denies bartender license for Maureen Delgadillo after city cites Wisconsin felony rule

WAUKESHA, Wis. — The Waukesha Ordinance and Licensing Committee on April 28, 2025, voted to deny Maureen Delgadillo’s application for a bartender license after committee members said a city attorney opinion and state statute prohibit issuing an alcohol-related license to a person convicted of a felony.

The committee voted to deny the application by a 3–0 margin with one member recorded as abstaining. Committee members said an email from the city attorney and discussion in the meeting identified that a fourth operating while intoxicated (OWI) conviction is treated as a felony under Wisconsin law and therefore bars issuance of a license under Wis. Stat. §125.68.

Delgadillo, who appeared at the committee meeting to apply for a Waukesha bartender license and said she has held licenses previously in Sussex and Pewaukee, apologized for her past and described steps she has taken toward recovery. “I’m very sorry and I’m so glad…I thank the Lord every day that I didn’t hurt anybody,” Delgadillo said. She told the committee she has completed court-ordered requirements, participated in Celebrate Recovery and said she is working toward stability and employment goals.

Representatives of Delgadillo’s employer, the Ingleside Hotel, told the committee they were aware of her background, have conducted their own background check and considered the record not disqualifying for employment. The employer said Delgadillo had worked there about five to six months and had performed satisfactorily.

One committee member noted uncertainty about the count of OWI convictions recorded in the file before clarifying that the committee’s review indicated four offenses, with the most recent in February 2018. Another member read from the statute and from an email received from the city attorney indicating the fourth OWI is classed as a Class H felony and recommended denial on that basis. The committee retracted an earlier motion to approve after the legal issue was raised and then moved to deny.

The committee did not identify individual roll-call votes by name in the public discussion. The formal record given at the meeting shows the motion to deny passed with three yes votes and one abstention. The committee noted the decision followed state law as presented and that the city attorney was not present at the meeting to confer further.

Delgadillo said she was disappointed but expressed appreciation for the committee’s time. The committee adjourned that item and moved on to other licensing business.