WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A complaint submitted against Wausau District 11 Alder Deb Ryan will be investigated by the city’s Ethics Board.
On Wednesday the four-member board voted to move forward with proceedings, opening the door for an investigation into the allegations and possible closed-session hearing later this winter.
Ryan is accused of making defamatory statements against William Harris and accusing him of providing illegal advice to Mayor Katie Rosenberg regarding the community for all resolution. Harris also accuses Ryan of trying to get him fired from his position with Wisconsin Judicare and also threatening other employees at the firm.
Ryan was present for the meeting but did not address the board.
Doug Hosler, who was acting as the Chair of the Board for Wednesday’s meeting, emphasized that the decision only opens the investigation.
It’s worth noting that the Ethics Board normally operates with as many as five residents, but for this case will be down to three. Former Alderperson Mary Thao has resigned her seat on the board and member Calvin Dexter has chosen to recuse himself since he helped circulate nominating petitions for Harris, who is looking to win a seat as Marathon County Judge during the upcoming spring election.
That leaves Hosler, Robyn DeVos, and Brian Mason as the only voting members of the Board for this matter. The three seats are the minimum for a quorum, and all three must vote unanimously to move matters forward in the process.
Madison-based Attorney Ted Waskowski is handling the case for the city, as City Attorney Ann Jacobson is named in the complaint.
Waskowski and the board have set January 24th as the date for their next meeting.
