Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
A former Shawano County sheriff’s detective has filed a notice of claim against the county alleging he was driven from his job because of harassment by members of the County Board and Sheriff Adam Bieber.
Wade Wudtke resigned on March 19 and took a job with the Clintonville Police Department.
His claim maintains the resignation was the result of a harassment campaign that followed an incident at the Shawano County Republican Party picnic on July 22 of last year.
Bieber spoke at the picnic as a candidate for sheriff, running against incumbent Randy Wright, whom Wudtke was actively supporting, according to the claim.
Wudtke raised several questions with Bieber after the speech in an exchange that apparently became confrontational.
The incident led to an investigation by the county’s administrative committee, which hired an attorney to look into the matter.
The county has not released any information about the attorney’s investigation or what conclusions were reached.
The claim maintains that the committee, including County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann and several supervisors who supported Bieber in the sheriff’s race, launched the investigation to retaliate against Wudtke and other deputies who were backing Wright.
The claim argues that Wudtke’s rights of free speech and political affiliation were violated, and that Wudtke did not violate any county policies or law enforcement code.
Wudtke was questioned twice about the picnic incident, according to the claim, then questioned again about a Jan. 21 “recording incident” that took place with sheriff’s department staff.
According to the claim, Wudtke opted to wear a recording device rather than take notes at the meeting.
The claim maintains the subsequent investigation into that incident was another pretext to retaliate against Wudtke for his opposition to Bieber’s bid for sheriff.
“Like the picnic investigation, it was being improperly used to threaten, harass and intimidate Wudtke in order to force him to resign from his position as deputy sheriff,” the claim states.
The claim also alleges that on several occasions Bieber told others, including the union representative, that he wanted to get rid of Wudtke.
“Shawano County agents and employees made clear to Wudtke, through his union representative, it was the county’s intent to sever the employment relationship and, if Wudtke did not resign, the county would pursue termination and create a paper trail that would irreparably damage his career as a law enforcement officer,” the claim states.
Wudtke had been a deputy sheriff for Shawano County since 1999. He was hired as a patrol officer and became school resource officer in July 2006. He became a detective in December 2007.
The claim maintains Wudtke has suffered damages in excess of $50,000, including loss of employment opportunities, income and benefits, emotional and psychological distress, and loss of reputation.
County Corporation Counsel Tony Kordus said the claim has been brought to the attention of the appropriate committee, but no action has been taken.
He said he could not comment on any of the claim’s allegations.
Notice of claims typically precede formal civil action, giving the county a heads-up on what to expect and providing an opportunity to investigate the allegations before a suit is filed; though claims are sometimes filed without any subsequent action being taken.
The county has 120 days to review the notice of claim and respond to it, or essentially deny it by not responding.
Wudtke then would have 120 days to bring a lawsuit.