Tearman Spencer

Committee Recommends Few Budget Amendments

No fee increases and few changes as council braces for next year's fiscal cliff.

Milwaukee Will Comply With Subpoenas, But City Attorney Won’t Say How

Spencer big on promises, but short on details.

Latest City Attorney Controversy Causes Council Infighting

Dodd vs Zamarripa is an extension of Tearman Spencer vs City Hall

City Attorney Accused of Politically-Motivated, Retaliatory Staff Directive

Latest issue causes public infighting amongst Common Council.

Turmoil, Toxic Work Environment at City Attorney’s Office

Resignation forms cite ethical violations, poor treatment of women & more by Tearman Spencer.

Mayor’s Race Looks Like a Wild One

Wide open, with lots of candidates, no obvious favorites and so much at stake.

310W Owner Sues City for $5 Million For Sewer Backup

Massive 2020 rainstorm caused damage but city attorney says city wasn't negligent.

Council Approves Morales Settlement

Former chief will get $500,000 and now a finalist for job in Dane County suburb.

Morales Payout Rises Still Higher

City must also pay its private legal team. Total cost of lawsuit will exceed $668,000.

Morales Reaches Tentative, $626,000 Settlement With City

Ousted chief won't return to Milwaukee Police Department.

No Settlement Yet, Morales Will Be Police Chief Again On July 15th

Demoted police chief Alfonso Morales will return to old job.

Council Ends City Attorney’s Review Power

Unanimous vote strips Spencer's ability to halt contracts and overrides Barrett veto.

Morales Potential Return As Police Chief Delayed Until July 12th

Extension gives parties more time to negotiate settlement.

New Ordinance Could Remove Elected Officials

For undefined 'inefficiency' or 'neglect of duty.' Alders slam the proposal.

Morales Or Milwaukee, Who Will Blink First?

Former chief continues to gain leverage for any potential settlement.

$250,000 Settlement for Minor Pursued by MPD Officer

Officer finishing four-year prison sentence.

Barrett, Officials Celebrate Couture Groundbreaking

Nine years after building was first proposed. 'Like making sausage. It's not pretty.'

Ethics Board Must Hire Outside Counsel. Why?

Confidential opinion involves City Attorney. Bauman thinks he's solved the mystery.

City Could Spend $100,000 To Argue Over $100,000

Fight between City Attorney Tearman Spencer and Common Council getting worse.

9 Takeaways on Local Marijuana Laws

City and county moving toward reform but arrests and convictions still happening.

Judge Orders Alfonso Morales Gets His Job Back in 45 Days

Former police chief gets even more leverage on potential settlement.

A County Opinion on City Legal Dispute?

Dispute between council and City Attorney gets ever stranger, as committee requests county corp counsel's opinion.

Push To Change City Attorney Office Resisted

'I have been forced to defend myself against specious personnel complaints.'

Council Wants New Harassment Policy

In wake of report chastising city attorney, council unanimously votes to create policy for elected officials.

City Must Apologize to Sterling Brown

Council approves settlement, which includes apology and changes in how police are trained.

Council Okays $20 Million Milwaukee Tool Deal

Approved unanimously. Company wants to move quickly on occupying Westown building.

The Couture Construction Begins May 5th

After years of delays, financing secured for complicated project to build 44-story lakefront tower.

Tearman Spencer Vs. City Hall

New City Attorney is quite public with his frustrations with those he is tasked with representing.

Council Committee Amends Milwaukee Tool Deal

Reporting requirements on employee race, gender, residency and wages added.

Sterling Brown Settlement Approved

City will issue apology and adopt slew of police policy changes.

Curfew Tickets During Protests Look Biased

Black residents hit by 64% of curfew violations during Milwaukee’s Spring 2020 protests.

Spencer’s Conduct Could Spur New City Harassment Law

Six employees accuse City Attorney but report finds city law doesn't cover elected officials.

Thank You & Well-Wishes Week for City Attorney Tearman Spencer, April 11, 2021 thru April 17, 2021

Connecting ALL at the neighborhood level with the due diligence and STAMINA of our 1- year NEW city attorney

Meet the District 4 School Board Candidates

Aisha Carr and Dana Kelley both have a flock of endorsements.

City Rejects Hawley Rd. Flood Settlement

Residents left soaked with costs after settlement agreement falls apart. Their attorney thinks it might cost even more to sue.

Statement on LaKeshia Myers endorsement

Council Wants Ann Wilson Off Fire & Police Commission

9-6 vote against her reappointment. But they lack the authority to remove her.

Council Approves New Deal for The Couture

After infighting, City Hall clearing way for $188 million tower.

Deal on The Couture Pending

Common Council will review revised agreement for $188 million tower Friday morning.

City Attorney Blocking The Couture

Spencer won't sign off on revised deal for downtown tower, saying Ald. Bauman overstepped his authority.

Another Council Committee Opposes Wilson

Majority of council opposes Ann Wilson's reappointment to Fire & Police Commission.

FPC Members, City Attorney Blew Off Inspector General Interview Requests

Fallout and confusion from the Morales fiasco gets worse.

Attorney Didn’t Want Inspector General Report Made Public

Publication threatens the city's defense in Morales case argues Spencer.

Report Finds FPC Ignored City Attorney’s Advice

City Inspector General blames, adds more troubles for Fire & Police Commission.

Senseless act of violence takes the life of a promising young man

Statement of Alderman Khalif J. Rainey and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II February 8, 2021

Council Confirms Avalos, Adds Tie-Breaking Vote to Fire & Police Commission

But a potential issue awaits with looming rejection of Ann Wilson's reappointment.

City Attorney Issues Confidential Opinion Regarding Morales Demotion

Attorney has previously said commission denied Morales his due process rights.

Council Keeps Delaying on Sterling Brown Settlement

Alderman says deal isn't ready to be approved.

Hotels Fight City Hall, Win $500,000

Marriott and Springhill Suites win settlement. And council debates assessments.

Gwen Moore Positive for COVID-19

The congresswoman is a cancer survivor and recently contracted the virus.

Why So Many Police Chiefs?

Milwaukee's police leadership has become a surreal version of musical chairs. What’s going on?

Judge Restores Alfonso Morales As Police Chief

Milwaukee has at least two police chiefs at the moment.

Rep. Brostoff Statement on Police Union Smears Against City Attorney Tearman Spencer

Sterling Brown Payout Still Being Debated

Council committee meets for two hours, can't decide whether to accept the settlement.

City Admits Violating Morales’ Due Process

But City Attorney argues Morales must go back before Fire & Police Commission for a trial.

Bucks Player, City Reach $750,000 Settlement

City admits police violated Sterling Brown's constitutional rights in notorious incident.

Alders Want Police Chief Search Paused Following FPC Resignations

City struggles to find stability in police oversight body.

MPS Joins Suit Against E-Cigarette Companies

Suit alleges that e-cigarettes are deliberately marketed to minors.

FPC asked to halt process to hire new Police Chief

City Attorney OKs $4 Million Settlement with Sylville Smith Family

Smith was killed by a Milwaukee Police Office in 2016, igniting unrest in Sherman Park.

Community Groups Propose Changes

Twelve groups invited to speak and push less spending on police and more on lead abatement, other programs.

Mayor Barrett’s 2021 Executive Budget Address

Fire & Police Leader Withdraws

FPC Executive Director Griselda Aldrete says council values spectacle over merit.

Election Director Nominee Is Back In

Claire Woodall-Vogg would like to run Milwaukee Election Commission after all.

Council Grilling, But Advancing Mayoral Appointees

Most being confirmed unanimously after long meetings.

City Attorney Moving To Drop Curfew Charges

Charges will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but at least one lawsuit still likely.

Police, Mayor, Hospital Workers March to Sherman Park

March is markedly different from larger marches that have circled city.

City Attorney Tearman Spencer Statement on Peaceful Protests

Spencer says the City Attorney’s Office hears the people of Milwaukee

Council Debates Assessment Process

Alders unhappy. Assessor gets grilled about home value hikes in certain neighborhoods.

Up From 53206

New generation of leaders in their early 30's, Crowley, Nicholson, Johnson, all raised in poorest ZIP code.

White City Worker Wins Racial Bias Payout

Health department employee's claims involve former interim commissioner Patricia McManus.

12 Election Takeaways

How high was turnout, lawyers will be busy, girl power, streetcar wins again and a new council president?

21 Winners and Losers

Beyond the candidates, what was the election about, who were the other winners and losers?

2020 Spring Election Results

Live City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County results for the April 7th Spring Election.

Judge Mosley Hospitalized With COVID-19

Derek Mosely improving after 8 days in ICU. "The most frightening experience of my life."

City Attorney Candidates

Langley versus Spencer for a four-year term as city's lawyer.

Dark-Money Group Slings Mud in Comptroller Race

Group backing Rep. Jason Fields produces attack ads against his opponent, Aycha Sawa.

Tearman Spencer Has Delinquent Tax Bill

City Attorney candidate hasn't paid tax bill. If he wins, and is still delinquent he would have to sue himself.

Deputy City Attorney Accused of Racism

Defense attorney calls for investigation of Deputy City Attorney Jan Smokowicz.

Tearman Spencer Statement on $1.67 Million Payout for Police Stop

Jury awards victim due to excessive force, false arrest

14 Election Winners, Losers

Beyond the ballot totals, behind the scenes, who were the other election winners and losers?

9 Election Takeaways

What did we learn? The results versus 2016. And the coming ad blitz and voter turnout.

City Attorney Candidates

Three candidates running to lead independent Milwaukee City Attorney's office.

Meet the Candidates for City Offices

Packed spring election features 46 candidates for 19 city offices.

Langley Has Raised Just $2,500

Incumbent city attorney way behind his challengers in campaign donations.

Contribution to Milele A. Coggs of $250

Bobot Will Attack Langley. Sort Of

Vince Bobot has (mostly) changed his mind about going negative in race for city attorney.

Grant Langley Will Run for Reelection

City attorney's decision sets up race against his old friend, attorney Vince Bobot.

Contribution to Peter Burgelis of $50

City Attorney candidate Tearman Spencer releases statement on Sterling Brown case

"It’s unfortunate that the City Attorney has been ineffective in his representation of the city, escalating the fight with the plaintiff rather than bringing the matter to a close."

Spencer for City Attorney campaign announces more than $100,000 on hand for spring campaign

"The City Attorney has a tremendous ability to affect city policy, and it’s time for new leadership that will bring public accountability to the office."

City Attorney Grant Langley Retiring?

Vince Bobot announces for job, leading to speculation Langley may retire after 36 years.

Tearman Spencer announces candidacy for Milwaukee City Attorney

"I’m ready to put my experience to work for my fellow residents of the City of Milwaukee."