Judge Scott Woldt speaks during a case Sept. 15, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Wisconsin Judicial Commission is pushing back against Winnebago County Judge Scott Woldt’s criticisms of the misconduct complaint against him.
The Wisconsin Judicial Commission filed nine counts against him. The complaint details interactions the judge had with a media member where he called himself a ‘sanitational engineer’ for dealing with ‘society’s garbage’”, post-election confrontations with local attorneys who did not support his re-election campaign, and exchange in court with a witness who apparently did not rise at the start of hearing. All of the incidents were in 2023.
In the judge’s reply, his attorney claimed the misconduct allegations weren’t specific enough, and asked for more details.
But in the commission’s response, released Monday, it said that earlier in the disciplinary process it had provided all of the information to Judge Woldt, with the specific code violations asserted.
“The complaint is neither vague, nor ambiguous, as alleged in Judge Woldt’s Motion for a More Definitive Statement and the brief that accompanied it. Accordingly, the Commission respectfully requests that the Panel deny Judge Woldt’s motion and order that he provide an answer to the Commission’s complaint,” wrote executive director Jeremiah Van Hecke.
A due date for Woldt’s next brief in the case was not immediately available.
A hearing may be held before a recommendation is made to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which has the final say on any possible discipline. Nothing has been scheduled, however.
This isn’t the first time Judge Woldt has faced a disciplinary hearing. In 2021, Woldt was suspended for seven days for conduct violations.
Woldt was appointed to the bench in 2004, and was re-elected in 2005, 2011, 2017, and 2023.
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