Wausau Ethics Board orders wider probe, sets deadlines in complaint against Mayor Doug Denny

The Wausau Ethics Board voted to issue additional orders for investigation in the pending complaint against Mayor Doug Denny, directed the orders to a list of city employees and an unnamed contractor, and set a 21-day deadline for responses.

The board said the orders seek statements and any documents, including emails, dated Sept. 19–29, 2024, related to a box that was or could be deployed as an absentee ballot drop box for the 2024 general election. The board also agreed on a schedule for follow-up meetings and set a tentative hearing date.

The board chair opened the discussion by noting that, in April, the board found probable cause to believe a violation of “section 2.03 0.03, paragraph j of the code” had been committed and that the board had previously continued a hearing for 120 days. The chair proposed proceeding at the meeting to adopt further orders for investigation rather than waiting for a potential agreed statement of facts between counsel; the motion to proceed passed unanimously.

Board members reviewed a list of potential witnesses identified after consulting the city attorney. Names specifically mentioned in the meeting materials and by the chair included: Matthew Barnes (chief of police); Eric Lindman (director of public works); Leo Gau (facilities manager); Mary Anne Groot…