GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — We’re still waiting to see how the investigation into audio surveillance at Green Bay City Hall turns out…
Alderperson Chris Wery says there are two factors in place that are still ongoing; which is the criminal investigation by the West Allis Police Department and a court date to be set for the civil lawsuit.
“I was hoping at our last council meeting this would have been an agenda item,” said Wery. “I’m hoping it’ll be on next week.”
Wery noted that he is starting to get some of his open records requests with the case, and is starting to review those.
“I’ve seen some comments like ‘boy now the election is over and now you don’t here anything about it,’” said Wery. “That’s not because we don’t want to hear more about it, it’s because we’re waiting on the court and the investigation.”
City officials installed microphones in the hallways outside the city clerk’s office, the city council chambers and the mayor’s office sometime between winter 2021 and summer 2022. Alderperson Chris Wery first brought the issue to light during a council meeting on February 7; criticizing Mayor Eric Genrich and saying that the council and the public was not aware the devices were installed. After this issue was raised, the city installed signs notifying there was recording in progress.
On March 7, the council voted to remove audio recording devices until the issue is resolved. A Brown County judge has sealed all audio recordings from the equipment as the lawsuit continues. The city council voted to destroy the audio recordings once the lawsuit is resolved.
More information on this case will be provided as it becomes available.
