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ALRC grants Carl Schoenhard an operator license on condition of probation officer letter
Summary
The Alcohol License Review Committee granted an operator license to applicant Carl Schoenhard on July 15, 2026, contingent on a letter from his Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation officer filed with the City Clerk by Aug. 4; the decision followed discussion of a 2024 forgery conviction and evidence of rehabilitation.
The Alcohol License Review Committee on July 15 granted an operator license to Carl Schoenhard with a condition: the committee required a letter from Schoenhard’s Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation officer to be filed with the Madison City Clerk by Aug. 4 before the Common Council considers the matter.
Lieutenant Hannah told the committee that the background check flagged a single felony conviction for forgery/uttering (conviction listed as 08/08/2025). "It's a forgery uttering... that's a felony," she said. Schoenhard acknowledged the conviction and described personal circumstances, saying he had completed a "Thinking for a Change" class and was following probation requirements. "I was in front of you today because, obviously, I'm bettering myself," Schoenhard said.
City attorney Zillavi told the committee that, under the local licensing standard, a felony that "substantially relates" to licensing activity blocks approval unless the applicant presents substantial evidence of rehabilitation. Zillavi said the forgery conviction, which involved presenting a fake document, could be relevant because the applicant may handle customers' cards and IDs. He recommended committee members request documentation from Schoenhard's supervising probation officer on his progress.
Alder Revere moved to grant the license contingent on the probation officer’s support letter; Alder Glenn seconded. The committee registered unanimous consent and forwarded the item to the Common Council’s Aug. 4 agenda.
What happens next: The applicant and counsel were told the supporting letter should be delivered to licensing@cityofmadison.com or filed with the City Clerk’s office in time for the Aug. 4 council packet. The applicant said he will provide a current letter and pursue expungement as eligible.
Authorities and procedural notes: Attorney Zillavi framed the committee’s legal standard in terms of whether a conviction "substantially relates" to licensing activity. The committee’s action was a conditional grant that will be reviewed at the council meeting, per standard process.
