Ex-City Attorney Tearman Spencer Charged With Bail Jumping

City Attorney Tearman Spencer speaks at an Oct. 7, 2021 press conference. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

Less than two weeks before he is due to stand trial for his role in an alleged “shaky” real estate transaction, former City Attorney Tearman Spencer has been charged with felony bail jumping.

Spencer, according to a newly filed criminal complaint, left a voicemail with a witness in the upcoming case. In his message, Spencer is alleged to have made a “veiled bribe” by offering to direct estate business to the witness, a probate attorney he had previously been ordered not to contact.

It’s the latest twist in a case that was discovered while investigating the first felony case Spencer faces: a 2024 felony misconduct in office charge for allegedly using city resources for personal benefit in the storage of his car collection.

Spencer’s attorney, William F. Sulton, previously told Urban Milwaukee he believed Spencer was charged with the real estate transaction felony only because he refused a plea deal in the misconduct in office case.

This story is about breaking news and will be updated with comment from Sulton.

In the real estate transaction case, prosecutors allege Spencer and real estate agent Kennard Wragg bought a home from an estate for $8,000, made repairs, paid back taxes and tried to sell it for almost $250,000.

During a final status conference held May 5 before the upcoming trial, the Milwaukee County district attorney’s office executed a search warrant to seize Spencer’s phone as he left the courtroom.

Spencer is alleged to have said, “Did you see what I called her for, what I gave to her?” during the interaction. The complaint alleges it was an admission of guilt.

The complaint says the prosecution conducted an interview with the witness, probate attorney Bettie Rodgers, on May 11. A transcript of the voicemail is included in the complaint, as is the allegation that Spencer called her twice.

The probate case is scheduled to be heard in Waukesha County starting June 1 because Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Lena Taylor, who was a practicing attorney at the time of the transaction, is being called as a witness in the case.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jorge Fragoso previously issued a no-contact order for Spencer regarding Taylor and Rogers.

The real estate transaction case, and now the bail jumping case, are precursors to the 2024 misconduct case, which has yet to go to trial.

The latest charge carries a maximum imprisonment term of six years and a fine of up to $10,000.

Spencer is due to appear on May 28 before Judge Fragoso on the bail jumping charge.

All three cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicolas J. Heitman.