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Constituent letter at Middleton council alleges city NDAs shield sexual predators
Summary
A constituent letter read into the March 3 council record alleges nondisclosure agreements have been used to shield employees accused of sexual harassment; the letter cites the mayor's sworn testimony in a recent temporary restraining order and asks the city to disclose how NDAs are used.
A letter from Middleton resident Christy Warner accusing the city of using nondisclosure agreements to shield employees from accountability was read into the record at the March 3 Middleton Common Council meeting.
The letter, read by Alder Katie Nelson at council request, recounted Warner's personal experiences of workplace sexual harassment and sexual assault and said she had "learned of this through the sworn testimony of the mayor in her filing of a temporary restraining order against the ex city of Middleton employee." Warner asked the council: "How many [NDAs] have been filed? Are there employees of the city of Middleton enjoying the comfort of being shielded from accountability by a system that allows perpetrators to be protected from disclosure?"
Warner's letter also highlighted the legal risk of false statements under Wisconsin law, saying that "the sworn testimony was made under penalty of false swearing, which in Wisconsin bears a class A misdemeanor charge with penalties of up to six months prison time and a $10,000 fine." The letter concluded: "As an elected official, I can speak freely. As a citizen, I demand to know how these NDAs are used."
Council members did not take formal action or open a committee inquiry during the meeting. No mayoral response or staff report on nondisclosure agreements was provided on March 3. The letter was entered into the public record and the council proceeded to scheduled presentations and business.
The council did not vote on any motion related to the allegations at the March 3 meeting. Warner's request for information about city NDAs remains outstanding; city officials did not announce a timeline for review or disclosure during the session.
