Ethics Complaint Filed Against Milwaukee Supervisor Alexander over Fundraising
‘The Law is Clear and Must Be Enforced’
MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now has filed an ethics complaint with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and the Milwaukee County Ethics Board over improper fundraising by Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Deanna Alexander.
“The law is clear and must be enforced,” said One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross. “No elected official can use their status to raise personal funds, regardless of the circumstances. This is particularly important when considering Supervisor Alexander has purview over a $1.3 billion annual taxpayer-financed budget.”
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported yesterday that Alexander has created a personal fundraising appeal posted on social media to assist her in paying more than $10,000 in bills for her family. The article notes that not only has Alexander raised several thousand dollars, and at least one $1,000 contribution was anonymous.
The Milwaukee County Ethics Code states: “No county public official or employee shall use his/her public position or office to obtain financial gain or anything of substantial value for the private benefit of himself/herself or his/her immediate family, or for an organization with which he/she is associated.”
“Supervisor Alexander is an elected public official and no one forced her to run for office,” said Ross. “But as an elected official she took an oath to follow the rules and responsibilities that govern conduct and her actions are a violation of the law.”
Alexander drew criticism after recently voting against restoring funds to pay for burial services for the indigent. Alexander also currently receives a salary of over $50,000 as county supervisor.