Tricia Rose has paid the $1,000 bond allowing the investigation of Mayor Judy Magee to proceed.
Interim City Administrator Chuck Kell confirmed with the Clintonville Tribune-Gazette that Rose paid the bond on Thursday, March 5.
The investigation stems from Chapter 17 complaints Rose filed against Magee in December. At its Feb. 10 meeting, the Clintonville City Council voted 9-0 to proceed with the investigation if the bond was received.
Also at that meeting, the council approved as part of the investigation, that the city would hire the Davis and Kuelthau law firm to appoint a special investigator who can fulfill and discharge the duties as the statute requires.
The Chapter 17 complaint was on the agenda to be discussed in closed session at the city council’s regular meeting, Tuesday, March 10. That meeting was canceled due to the lack of a quorum. Kell told the Tribune-Gazette that the council had already approved the investigation, but he wanted to discuss it with council one more time.
Insurance liability
The Tribune-Gazette obtained a copy of the response from the city’s insurance company regarding the complaints against Magee.
The response was from Statewide Services Inc., a third-party administrator for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance liability and auto program.
In the letter, dated, Jan. 19, it stated, “Upon review of Ms. Rose’s letter dated 12-5-14 and her letter of amended charges dated 12/30/14, we believe that the matter does not meet the statutory requirements for a Notice of Claim, nor does it give rise to coverage under the policy of insurance issued by LWMMI. Ms. Rose’s letters do not make a claim for personal injury or monetary damages. Instead, Ms. Rose makes vague allegations of ‘1. Midconduct in Office, 2. Abuse of Power, 3. Theft of Property, 4. Willfully Destroying Public Property, 5. Releasing Confidential Information, and 6. Concealing a Crime.’ Rather than setting forth any occurrence and resulting investigation and hearing as to the possible removal of Mayor Magee from office.”
The letter also stated that the city’s insurance policy provides coverage for “Public Officials Errors and Omissions.” The policy also includes some exclusions.
The letter concluded that Rose’s letters “make somewhat vague references to allegations of slander, possible open records violations, and a threat to ‘follow-up with civil charges.'”
The letter also stated, “Should Ms. Rose present any additional documentation and/or pursue additional legal action that might change our analysis or give rise to covered claims, please notify us immediately.”