Category: Investigations
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This wealthy Wisconsin congressman keeps trading stocks. A bipartisan bill would ban the practice.
U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, a millionaire who represents Wisconsin’s northeastern district, reported at least $1.3 million in trades in February. Experts say it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a problem.
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‘Hard worker’ cop with OWI given ‘second chance’ in Sheboygan County
A former Sheboygan police officer is now working part-time for the Cascade Police Department after an OWI arrest in 2022. His current police chief says he deserves a second chance.
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Duffy funneled $1M to help son-in-law’s bid for Congress in NW Wisconsin
With a huge donation, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is trying to help his son-in-law win a crowded primary for the 7th Congressional District he once represented.
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What to do when your neighbors run the town board and block your business?
A man in a small town in Outagamie County says his neighbors, who sit on the town board, have been unfairly blocking his attempts to expand his business. They say it’s a zoning issue.
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Top donors (so far) to Rep. Van Orden, Republican of western Wisconsin
The world’s richest man has already written the incumbent a large check to try to aid his reelection to the 3rd Congressional District.
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Max donors (so far) to Rebecca Cooke, Dem challenger in western Wisconsin
Many people have given Cooke, of Eau Claire, the max, including a well-known former Green Bay Packer and some other interesting names.
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Ex-La Crosse cop accused of writing misleading report now at nearby PD
A long-time officer for the La Crosse Police Department resigned while under investigation for his report that differed from body camera footage of his interaction with a drunken motorist at Oktoberfest.
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Racine Co Sheriff’s investigator probed for sexual abuse claims
A deputy is on leave and being investigated after his wife got a restraining order and accused him of sexually abusing her for more than a decade.
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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, state Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor of Madison is outraising her opponent from the political Right nearly 10-1, 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.