Tearman Spencer

Judge Rules Tearman Spencer Criminal Case Will Move Forward

Spencer's attorney argued there isn't probable cause to allow the case to continue.

The Year’s Most Popular City Hall Stories

It was a year of controversies, craziness and sadness at a great loss in City Hall.

Five Projects Changing King Drive

Four new apartment buildings and a substantial streetscaping project.

Milwaukee Hiring New Negotiator To Interface With Police, Fire Unions

Benjamin Roovers would replace the late Veronica Rudychev.

Court Finds Probable Cause In Spencer Misconduct Case

Court declines to dismiss felony and misdemeanor charges against former city attorney.

Committee Marks Up Milwaukee Budget With Amendments, Footnotes

Council raids personnel accounts to pay for services it says constituents demand.

Walgreens Closing Store Infamous For Basketball Player Incident

Fourth Milwaukee store closure in less than two years.

Statement on the charges filed against former City Attorney Tearman Spencer

Alderperson Jonathan Brostoff October 2, 2024

Former City Attorney Tearman Spencer Charged with Felony Misconduct

Spencer is alleged to use his city position to avoid fees on storing his car collection.

SDC Appoints Vincent Bobot Interim CEO

Attorney and SDC board member says the goal is 'to preserve and keep SDC running.'

Supervisors Move To Approve New County Attorney

Acting Corp Counsel Scott Brown receives board's first approval for top attorney.

Tearman Spencer’s Deputy Criminally Charged With Misconduct in Public Office

Former deputy city attorney Odalo Ohiku charged with misdemeanor.

New City Attorney Brings Back Deputy Who Departed Under Spencer

Mary Schanning will return to City Hall as one of Evan Goyke's top deputies.

Council, City Officials Celebrate Inauguration

'When you go into public service, you should feel the weight and responsibility.'

Court Suspends City’s Private Security Requirements

6 plaintiffs challenge ordinance tightening rules for businesses hiring security.

Crunching the Data on Spring Election

Which Milwaukee voters supported Biden, Trump, MPS referendum and City Attorney Tearman Spencer?

Evan Goyke Ousts Tearman Spencer As City Attorney

Spencer had been plagued by problems and controversies during his one term in office.

2024 Spring Election Results

MPS referendum and county exec, mayor, Common Council and County Board races all on ballot.

City Attorney Race Is Vitally Important

Incumbent Tearman Spencer has caused countless problems for City of Milwaukee.

Meet the Candidates For City Office

And read the analysis of each race and bios for each candidate.

City Spends $77,000 To Resolve Harassment Claim Against Spencer

Embarrassing payoff comes amid city attorney's reelection campaign.

Cavalier Johnson Is All In On Growing Milwaukee

Annual State of the City speech places growth plan front and center.

Milwaukee Will Pay More Than $60,000 To Settle Tearman Spencer Harassment Claim

Council moves to approve settlement while Spencer seeks reelection.

Notables Attend City Birthday Party

The city's 178th birthday party offered fun, food and political chatter.

Rep. Ryan Clancy Settles With City Following 2020 Curfew Arrest

With trial already underway, Clancy secures the policy changes he long sought.

Will There Be a City Attorney Race?

Candidates must collect 1,500-3,000 signatures. Where is the incumbent?

How Will Council Handle Scathing Report on City Attorney?

Deputy city attorney's moonlighting and Tearman Spencer's lax oversight at issue.

City Attorney Spencer Faces Inspector’s Call For Ouster, Likely Violation Of Discrimination Law

Inspector General says attorney, deputy committed misconduct in office, state hearing coming on separate case.

Budget Amendment Would Boost Libraries, Streets, Voting and Lead Abatement

Proposal from Alderwoman Dimitirjevic and Council President Pérez aims to boost services across city.

Mayor Announces Reelection Bid, Kicks Off Spring 2024 Races

Cavalier Johnson seeks a full-term. All city officials are on the ballot.

Donations now being accepted for Bronzeville Sleepover for Education

City Attorney Pumps Brakes On Council’s Lobbying Changes

Decision is on hold until at least after the August recess.

Rusty Bolts Will Cost City $50,000

Plus: City settles lawsuit with McDonald's franchisee and reduces Hal Leonard's property taxes.

Police Settlement Will Cost Millions Less Than Expected

Plus: costs grow in claim against Tearman Spencer and a firefighter conspiracy defense.

Milwaukee Hopes To Be Bellwether In Kia/Hyundai Suit

Could be central player in multi-city lawsuit, perhaps increasing size of any settlement.

City Will Sue Kia, Hyundai Over Repeated Thefts

City looking for 'payback' stemming from 'destruction' wrought by theft epidemic.

AG Kaul, 21 Other States Demand Kia, Hyundai Address Thefts

Could be precursor to multi-state lawsuit over autos' defect that makes thefts easy.

City Seeks Bids To Demolish Portion of Northridge Mall

Move comes in advance of hearing to acquire and demolish the entire complex.

Milwaukee Gets $2.5 Million In JUUL Settlement

E-cigarette maker was sued more than 5,000 times for its youth-focused marketing.

New Vape Shop Will Beat City’s Ban

Temporary moratorium on new shops will begin Feb. 25. New shop on Ogden coming.

Another Former Assistant City Attorney Files Discrimination Claim

Four former employees of City Attorney Tearman Spencer pursuing legal action against city.

City Will Pay 2020 George Floyd Protester $270,000

Cameron Murdoch a 'victim of violent police,' suit claims, at 6th and McKinley fracas.

$175,000 Settlement For Violent 2018 Arrest

Demetrious Lowe alleges police beat him after knocking him to the ground during mental health episode.

Council Approves Vape Shop Moratorium

No new e-cigarette stores until August. City must now craft a regulatory framework.

Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office-New Deputy City Attorney

More Funding Needed To Defend Against Police-Related Lawsuit

Sam Hadaway was wrongfully imprisoned, city now spending repeatedly on outside attorney to defend against $7.5 million claim.

Goyke Will Challenge Spencer for City Attorney

Democratic state representative plans run against highly controversial city official.

Milwaukee Sues Second Reckless Driver

LaShawn Thomas has received 37 traffic citations in five years

City Will Pay $237,480 For New Settlements, Lawsuits

One payout just the tip of the iceberg for incident that's cost taxpayers $518,000.

Former City Attorneys File Discrimination Claims

City will spend up $40,000 for outside counsel and could face future settlements.

Johnson Names Former Deputy City Attorney To Fire & Police Commission

Miriam Horwitz would be commission's ninth member, fulfilling mayor's campaign pledge.

Council Beefing Up Negotiation Team In Advance of Public Safety Contract Talks

Funding comes from City Attorney's Office.

Milwaukee Spending $1.5 Million On Lawsuits, Including Two Police Conduct Cases

And another $1.5 million in settlements is pending.

Judge Rules Northridge Mall Must Be Demolished

Ruling is a win for city, but issues remain with demolishing building.

MPD Struggles Identifying Source of Crime Guns

Police Department does not maintain a data set on origin of thousands of confiscated firearms.

Council Approves Paying Four Settlements

Taxpayers on the hook for yet more city settlements.

Donations now being accepted for Bronzeville Sleepover for Education

Police Begin Suing Reckless Drivers

MPD files lawsuit against driver with 44 violations, warns 20 more repeat reckless drivers they could be sued.

27-Page Complaint Blasts City Attorney

Tearman Spencer and top deputies face new complaints of misusing public funds, kickbacks and more.

City Faces $9.5 Million In Legal Claims

Allegations of coerced confession, wrongful termination and underpayment of wages.

Outside Counsel Will Represent City On Complaint Against City Attorney

City Attorney Tearman Spencer is being sued for harassment, discrimination.

DNS Could Drop City Attorney, Hire Its Own

Council debates, then holds off proposal to help Department of Neighborhood Services.

City Attorney Halts Plan To Sue Reckless Drivers

Spencer submits last minute opinion saying the proposal is too broad.

Spencer Faces Sex Discrimination Claim

The City Attorney also accused of bypassing city ordinance to hire outside counsel.

MPD Moving To Seize Vehicles Via Court System

Policy would apply to repeat offenders that don't change their driving behavior.

More Turnover In City Attorney’s Office

6 attorneys recently resigned or were fired; 24 have left in less than two years. Non-attorneys also quitting.

Fessahaye Leaving For Chief Human Resources Job At UWM

With the city since Jan. 2021, HR director will become associate vice chancellor at UWM.

Council Ends Battle Over Couture, City Attorney

Acting Mayor reverses position and now supports ending the fight.

Putin-Backing Assistant City Attorney Fired

Jennifer DeMaster terminated after pro-Russian remarks on Russia Today. But City Attorney says comments weren't the issue.

Council Could End Fight Over Couture Provision

But City Attorney and Acting Mayor object. Legality of requiring $100,000 donation at issue.

Tearman Spencer Attacks Robert Bauman

City Attorney says alderman broke local, state and federal laws and has bullied and exceeded his authority at great cost to taxpayers.

Spencer Alleges Multiple City Hall Politicians Face Criminal Probes

Which officials? What are the charges? Who is investigating? City Attorney won't say.

City To Pay $50,000 For Church Crushed By Collapsed Building

City owned foreclosed building. Near north-side church submitted $1.1 million claim.

$650,000 Settlement For Police Shooting Victim

Jerry Smith, Jr. shot three times in 2017 on rooftop: he called it a case of mistaken identity.

City Needs Act of Congress Because of Couture-Streetcar Delay

City officials admit project is behind schedule.

Milwaukee Has a Singing Mayor Again

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson tries singing at city's 176th Birthday Party, before a big turnout of politicians.

Anti-Harassment Policy Expanded After City Attorney Case

Effort took more than a year, from investigation to enactment.

Council Ends Redistricting With Anger, Tears

Council members call process unfair, unjust and infuriating. How did things go wrong?

New Assessment Commissioner Chosen

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson picks Nicole Larsen to first serve as Chief Assessor, then Assessment Commissioner.

Latino Leaders Could Sue Over Redistricting

They demand council hire outside counsel. City Attorney defends his closed-door advice.

Half of Mayoral Candidates Bounced From Ballot

City Attorney Tearman Spencer leads list of those that failed to submit signatures.

Milwaukee Starts Over On Redistricting, Only To Adopt Same Map Again

Effort to expand Latino influence won't stand up to legal challenges says City Attorney. Alderwoman says council "hoodwinked" and "railroaded."

City Could Sue Reckless Drivers in Civil Court

Could allow seizure of repeat offenders' cars. But is City Attorney trying to delay civil suits?

Chris Larson Drops Out of Mayoral Race

But the field is still growing, with 12 candidates now in the race.

City Attorney Tearman Spencer Is Running For Mayor

10th candidate in the race is a polarizing one.

Dettmer’s Appointment As Public Works Head Is Historic

First female to lead DPW, first time that no major mayor-appointed leaders are white males.

Council Split On Hiring Its Own Attorney

Just the latest twist in the council's ongoing conflict with City Attorney Tearman Spencer.

Predator Cop Costs Milwaukee $400,000

Officer ultimately spent four years in jail after using his job to prey on teenage girls.

Summerfest Lands One of the City of Milwaukee’s Top Attorneys

Mary Schanning will become general counsel, chief administrative officer at Milwaukee World Festival.

Gene’s Supper Club Still Open Despite Shootings

Police oppose its operation, council voted to close it, but owner fighting this in courts.

Milwaukee Poised To Pay Additional $150,000 For Predator Police Officer

Officer Sonthana Rajaphoumi finished four-year prison sentence earlier this year.

The Council’s War With Tearman Spencer

Lots of grumbling, but City Attorney scores wins in two of three battles Tuesday.

Council Blasts Extra Cost For Morales’ Lawsuit

City Attorney Spencer knew outside counsel handling case exceeded authorized cost.

Council, Mayor At Odds Over City Attorney

Council wants to hire its own attorney. City Attorney oppose this and Barrett vetoes proposal.

Morales Demotion Debacle Will Cost City Additional $19,000

City's outside counsel exceeded its budget.

Milwaukee Adopts ‘Calm Before The Storm’ 2022 Budget

No fee increases and small tax increase as city bolsters pension reserve fund in anticipation of fiscal cliff.

City Attorney New Hire Worked For Anti-Muslim Group

Muslim advocacy group calls on Spencer to fire new assistant city attorney.

Hate Has No Place at City Hall

Statement of Alderman Scott Spiker November 2, 2021

Tearman Spencer Adds Media To List Of Those Inhibiting Him

Conditions at City Attorney's office would improve if media quit "erroneously" reporting on them says City Attorney.

Contribution to Milele A. Coggs of $250

Contribution to Peter Burgelis of $50