Keith Gilkes, Governor Walker's Chief Of Staff In 2011 Knew About Baumbach And Rozek's Inappropriate Relationship

Pérez has confirmed that he briefed Walker's administrative team, including Keith Gilkes, Walker's Chief of Staff in 2011 about two top DWD administrators involved in an inappropriate relationship.

By H. Nelson Goodson

October 30, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, Manuel "Manny" Pérez, former Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in 2011 when contacted, if Governor Scott Walker (R) and his administrative leadership, including Keith Gilkes, Walker's Chief of Staff in 2011 knew that two top DWD administrators were having a relationship. Pérez stated, "as the Former Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, I am proud of my record as out of 110,000 jobs generated or filled in the last 4 years; 26,000 or approximately 23% were filled in the 5 months that I was Secretary of DWD via exceptionally coordinated efforts with Workforce Development Boards, Tech Colleges, and non-profit organizations. As a Secretary, I briefed other members of the administration leadership on many matters, including personnel. I do not know whether the administration leadership team shared the entire briefings with the Governor." 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) learned that Governor Walker appointed Scott Baumbach as Secretary of the DWD in 2011 after Pérez resigned in May as DWD Secretary. Governor Walker, Gilkes and his administration leadership had learned of an allegation that Baumbach and Allison Rozek, then administrator for the Administrative Services Division were in an inappropriate relationship before Pérez resigned. Apparently Walker knew of the relationship and still appointed Baumbach to the position. Baumbach resigned in October 2011, just four months after Pérez resigned.

Rozek had complained that she was being sexually harassed by a top administrator, but she later left her position and it is not known whether she actually resigned or was let go in October 2011. Rozek never followed through with the sexual harassment complaint, probably because Walker had learned of the relationship between both Baumbach and Rozek.

In October 2011, Gilkes, Baumbach and Rozek resigned from their positions indicating the scandal at the DWD took a toll on Walker's administration. Pérez resigned four months before Gilkes, Baumbach and Rozek resigned for personal reasons.
Governor Walker should have never appointed Baumbach as DWD Secretary knowing that it would haunt him later in his political career for re-election.

Walker, Gilkes, Baumbach and Rozek could not be reached for comment.