Fond Du Lac Times

Chuck Adams has been accused of misleading residents regarding the investigation into Todd Wolf, conducted by the law firm von Briesen & Roper. Citizens have previously requested invoices related to payments made to the firm concerning the termination of former City Administrator Todd Wolf.

In June 2023, city attorneys provided a citizen with a sixteen-page document containing invoices from von Briesen. Wolf was terminated in January 2023, and the investigation report was released in February 2023. The investigation, led by Attorney Jill Hall, aimed to be independent and impartial regarding Wolf’s conduct.

The provided invoices did not include any billing from Attorney Hall for January 2023, raising questions about the absence of charges during the month when the final report was being prepared for presentation to the Common Council.

The city has disclosed total costs associated with the lawsuit concerning Wolf’s termination, but discrepancies have emerged between these figures and the invoices. A recent request to the finance department revealed that an invoice had been omitted from what was provided in open records requests.

Official finance documents indicate an invoice from von Briesen numbered 416459, dated February 8, 2023, amounting to $12,285. This invoice was paid on February 22, 2023, with check number 359316 but has never been included in open records requests.

The city maintains it complied with previous records requests regarding invoices from von Briesen & Roper. However, a more recent request related to the Todd Wolf lawsuit did not include any invoices from von Briesen. The citizen who submitted this request subsequently hired an attorney. Adams informed this attorney that the records request had been fulfilled. Meanwhile, Assistant City Attorney Liz Majerus is reportedly processing other similar requests.

One such request submitted in mid-June has yet to yield any records over a month later.

During a Common Council meeting on June 17, 2024, members voted to waive attorney-client privilege concerning the Wolf lawsuit, thereby increasing public access to related documents. Alder Belanger expressed concerns about potential document redaction by the city attorney’s office and questioned whether documents were being hidden to protect reputations.

The missing invoice raises questions about transparency within the city administration. Allegations have surfaced that City Attorney Chuck Adams' actions do not meet professional standards required for his role.

The lawsuit involving Todd Wolf has been settled in federal court. Additional lawsuits related to employment matters during former HR Director Adam Westbrook's tenure are ongoing. Westbrook currently faces federal charges for child sex crimes; Adams has defended him without condemning his behavior.

Concerns have been raised about potential increased liability due to these issues and whether City Attorney Chuck Adams himself represents a legal liability for Sheboygan.

Citizens are encouraged to demand answers and accountability regarding missing documents and alleged misconduct by contacting their local officials via email.