Milwaukee Police Chief Above The Law?

The Ethics Board dismissed a citizen’s complaint alleging Police Chief Edward Flynn's extra-marital affair violated the city's ethics code

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 16, 2009

Milwaukee - On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Ethics Board decided to dismissed a complaint filed by a group of citizens alleging Chief Edward A. Flynn's extra-marital affair violated the city's ethics code. Ethics Board Chairman Dwight Ellis said the board decided that the La Monte Harris complaint did not state a proper case for the Ethics Board to take action against Chief Flynn.
Wisconsin State Law states, that committing adultery is a Class I Felony Offense. Rarely has anyone ever been charged with the offense, but no doubt it’s a law. Did Flynn commit a felony? His own public admission of confirming the affair with Jessica McBribe, indicates he did commit a felony under Wisconsin law. Both McBribe and Flynn are married to other spouses.
Even though, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm decided not to prosecute the police chief, Flynn should be removed from office for committing a felony.
Harris is optimistic that “someone with integrity and standards” will hold Flynn accountable. On Tuesday, Harris and a group calling for accountability for the top law enforcement official is requesting for Milwaukee County Chief Circuit Judge Jeffrey Kremers to launch a John Doe investigation targeting Flynn.
On Wednesday, South side Alderman Bob Donovan criticized Mayor Tom Barrett for using Chief Flynn for next Tuesday Barrett’s 400 dollar per person fundraiser at the Italian Community Center. “I'll be honest, Tom, this whole thing just doesn't smell right to me,” Donovan wrote Barrett.
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission has terminated Police Officers for violating the Police Officer Code of Ethics and who have committed a felony act, even though they don’t get prosecuted. The Ethic Board’s decision to dismiss the complaint and their lack of judgement to launch an investigation sets precedent that Chief Flynn has become immune from justice, according to Taxpayers.