Findings of investigation into former Sheboygan City Attorney released
According to the report, there was substantial evidence to indicate that Charles Adams violated the City’s Ethics Code
SHEBOYGAN — An investigation into the former Sheboygan City Attorney found there was substantial evidence to indicate he violated the City’s Ethics Code but he disputes findings.
Last year, the Milwaukee law firm of von Briesen & Roper was retained by the City of Sheboygan as Independent Counsel to investigate allegations of ethic codes violation by City Attorney Charles Adams. Their investigation was paused while the Fond du Lac Police Department investigated Adams for possible criminal charges for misconduct in office. While police recommended a felony charge of Misconduct in Public Office, the Sheboygan County District Attorney declined to pursue criminal charges. Adams unexpectedly resigned just two days after the Common Council met in a special closed-door session on March 17th to hear details about the investigation.
“Based on the review of the data, in addition to the interviews, there is substantial evidence to indicate that Attorney Adams violated the City’s Ethics Code by engaging in unauthorized searches and reviews of City documents via DataCove,” the report stated. “Not only were the searches unauthorized and unwarranted when the searches took place, but Attorney Adams also devoted considerable City time and resources to these reviews.” In response, Adams told WKTS News that he denies engaging in any unethical behavior. “Notably, the memo never actually provides any evidence that any use of the DataCove system was ever made for personal gain, nor that any information was ever disclosed to any unauthorized person,” he said. “This is because no such evidence exists.”
The report went on to say, “There is no plausible public explanation for Attorney Adams’ searches on DataCove related to the searches identified above. The evidence would indicate that Attorney Adams had a personal interest in the email searches, insofar as they related to either himself, his son, and his cousin.”
RELATED: Sheboygan City Attorney accused of misconduct in office, abruptly resigns
According to the report, the law firm says there is substantial evidence that no public purpose was served when Attorney Adams accessed DataCove to conduct searches of the emails. “The only logical inference is that Attorney Adams searched the emails for his own private and personal benefit.” Pursuant to Municipal Code 2-245, a violation of any provision of this article may constitute a cause for suspension, removal from office or employment or other disciplinary action.
“All use of DataCove was conducted in the course of my role as the City's attorney, performing my statutory duties to provide all legal services for the City,” Adams said in response to the investigation. “This included fulfilling public records requests, engaging in answering discovery, confirming answers to interrogatories and requests for production of documents during litigation, investigating matters on behalf of the city, and preparing and reviewing contracts and other documents.”
READ: Charles Adams Statement on Investigation
Adams said he is proud of his 29 years of service with the City of Sheboygan. “Despite my belief that the investigation leading to the memo was improperly motivated and designed to reach a foregone conclusion despite the lack of evidence, I bear no ill will to the City and wish all of my former colleagues success in continuing Sheboygan's success at being an excellent place to live, work, and play.”
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