Category: Investigations
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Ex-La Crosse cop accused of writing misleading report now at nearby PD
Daniel Ulrich, a long-time officer for the La Crosse Police Department, resigned as he was being investigated for a report he wrote that differed from another officer’s body-worn camera footage depicting Ulrich interacting with a drunken motorist amidst Oktoberfest festivities.
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Racine Co Sheriff’s Office investigator probed amid claims of sexual abuse
An investigator for the Racine County Sheriff’s Office is the subject of a criminal inquiry after his wife petitioned for a restraining order and accused him of physically and sexually abusing her for more than a decade. He is currently on administrative leave.
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Richland Co Sheriff’s Office stakeouts uncovered deputy’s on-duty liaisons
A deputy and city alderman in western Wisconsin resigned after having repeated sexual meetings while on duty. The Viola Police Department still employs him.
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Waushara Co Sheriff reaches deal to repay half of $22k in K9 funds he took
An investigation by The Badger Project found Sheriff Walter Zuehlke got over $20k for his K9 after quitting the trainings. The county asked him to repay that plus interest, but settled to avoid a costly court battle.
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Top donors to Chris Taylor, the Left’s candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court
With support from across the country, Court of Appeals Judge Chris Taylor of Madison is outraising her opponent from the political Right nearly ten to one, spooking conservatives who hope to hold the seat.
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Top donors to Maria Lazar, the Right’s candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar has struggled to raise funds since she announced her candidacy for the state’s high court in October, and is being outraised by her opponent nearly ten to one.
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Four ex-Waukesha Co Sheriff’s deputies committed suicide in past decade
Some family members say department leadership is at least partly to blame, accusing it of ignoring struggling deputies. The department says it had mental health programs in place and has since increased them.
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State trooper caught drinking on duty in Waushara County facing criminal charge
Robert Bliven, a Wisconsin state trooper, was arrested in September after deputies investigated him for drinking on the job. They charged him with operating a firearm while intoxicated.
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Aggressive stock-trading Wisconsin rep puts at least $1M into safer T-bills
U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, a wealthy businessman elected to Congress in 2024, recently took action to protect against a stock market downturn by purchasing between $1 million and $5 million in U.S. Treasury bills.
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“Pervasive, caustic atmosphere” of UW-La Crosse PD has improved, chief says
The police department was knocked for “shoddy record keeping” and a “lack of leadership” in a 2019 investigation. A police chief hired the same year says he’s made major changes to revamp the organization.
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Commander cited for disorderly conduct no longer employed by State Patrol
Ex-Captain Daniel Gruebele pleaded no contest to the citation last year. His last day as the commander of the Northeast Region in Fond du Lac came less than a week after The Badger Project reported the incident.
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Neenah cop quit last policing job amid accusations of sexist and racist remarks
Derrick Rotta resigned his police position in Menasha in 2024 after being investigated for an allegation that he was “the most racist person at the department.” The Neenah Police Department hired him last year.
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NE Wisconsin State Patrol head cited by deputies after girlfriend calls 911
Capt. Daniel Gruebele, commander of the State Patrol’s Northeast Region at the Fond du Lac post, was cited for disorderly conduct in the summer after his girlfriend accused him of coercive sexual behavior.
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Amid rising home prices, Richland Center residents decry building housing on park
A group of residents says city officials have ignored them in moving forward to build duplexes on a green space in town. Meanwhile, home prices in the little city have increased 76% since 2017.
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Waukesha city cop ousted for OWI, fleeing crash, hired at county sheriff’s office
A veteran of the City of Waukesha Police Department quit in 2023 after he was arrested for driving drunk and knocking down a light pole with his Jeep. The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office hired him in March.
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Wisconsin cop fired for offering driver cash after crash still working in policing
The Wisconsin State Fair Park Police Department fired Thomas Dammer after he caused a minor collision and didn’t immediately report it. He still works as a part-time police officer in Oconomowoc.
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‘Officer Asshole’ – Chippewa Co cop who quit amid investigation now at nearby PD
Andrew Straszkowski resigned from the Lake Hallie Police Department on the day of a disciplinary meeting regarding his use of force and insubordination. He’s now working at a nearby police department.
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Ex-Sauk Co jailer charged with 3 felonies for topless photo of female inmate
A former Sauk County Sheriff’s deputy is accused of snapping the photo from the jail’s video surveillance system without the inmate’s knowledge and then sharing it with a colleague.