Tim Ryan, tryan@shawanoleader.com
An investigation is under way into alleged drug paraphernalia found at the home of Shawano County Administrative Coordinator Tom Madsen during the execution of a search warrant March 31.
The search warrant indicates two family members, not Madsen, were the target of the search.
According to information in the search warrant, Stockbridge-Munsee police received information from a confidential informant that two members of Madsen’s family had visited a house where officers recently seized marijuana. However, the warrant states it was not certain that the two had purchased any marijuana.
Police collected garbage from the Madsen residence in Gresham on five occasions from January to March. Out of the five garbage picks, at least three included items that tested positive for marijuana or marijuana residue, according to the search warrant.
The warrant was returned with seized items that included three pipes with residue, green plant material inside a wooden container, incense and several cut straws, according to the statement of a Stockbridge-Munsee detective.
No charges have been filed.
Madsen said he could not comment on the matter because it was under investigation.
County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann said at this point there are no repercussions for Madsen, given that the probe is focusing on other family members.
“Law enforcement would have to act first,” he said. “Then the Administrative Committee would have to discuss it.”
The case is not being handled by the Shawano County District Attorney’s Office and is expected to be transferred to an independent agency. It could not be confirmed Friday whether that has been done yet or which agency would handle the matter.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department was also not involved in the investigation, partly because Stockbridge-Munsee police contract with the village of Gresham for law enforcement, but also because of the possible appearance of a conflict of interest because of Madsen’s position with the county.
“That was one of the reasons,” Sheriff Randy Wright said. “We tried to keep it as impartial as could be.”