Wausau Ethics Board postpones mayor hearing to October

Members at a meeting on Wednesday postponed their hearing in the ongoing complaint filed in January against Mayor Doug Diny to no later than October 10th. The hearing – originally scheduled for Friday – would have determined whether Diny violated the city ethics code by moving a ballot box from the steps of city hall in September of 2024. 

The board’s decision to postpone the hearing comes after the mayor’s legal team on Tuesday filed a second motion to dismiss the complaint. The board denied the mayor’s first motion to dismiss in August. 

Board Chair Calvin Dexter says the hearing should be delayed so members can go over the new information.

“We’ve been presented with some pleadings that we haven’t even had an opportunity to review yet,” said Dexter.

The complaint against Diny alleges that he acted despite being told by the city attorney that only the city clerk has the authority to make decisions regarding ballot boxes. 

The Ethics Board also delayed the hearing to wait for a City Council decision about budget funding for the legal representation of city employees.

Special counsel Eric Larson says the hearing will happen – just not on Friday. 

“This matter is going to have a hearing. I don’t want anyone to think that we’re somehow going to delay and delay… there will be a hearing.”

The board also decided to issue subpoenas for more witnesses who were scheduled to appear, following a suggestion from special counsel Eric Larson. 12 witnesses were called to respond in July. Only seven responded.

The board will meet on Friday, September 12th to discuss the new motions and decide on a new date for the public hearing. 

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