WEEKEND POTPOURRI

Dear Reader –

Here are a few odds and ends to ponder as we launch ourselves into the weekend. I’ll have more to say next week.

--Michael Horne

D.A.: CHARGES WILL BE RE-FILED AGAINST BROWN COUNTY GOP EX-HEAD IN TEEN GAY SEX, DRUG DEBAUCH

Special to the Readers of Milwaukeeworld

By Michael Horne

Brown County District Attorney John P. Zakowski [UW, 1983]called to discuss the dismissal of charges against Donald J. Fleischman , the former county Republican Party head who was accused of multiple accounts of child enticement involving his relationship last year with at least one 16-year old who resided in a group home near Fleischman’s residence. [See the original November 8^th, 2007 milwaukeeworld post here.] Zakowski said the reason charges were dismissed – for now – is due to the reluctance of the victim of the crime to testify in court.

The director of the youth home said, “I think it is difficult for a teenaged boy to talk about the abuse.”

This is a very commonplace phenomenon. Criminologists and psychologists have undertaken many studies of the subject, and the same-sex nature of the assault adds yet another series of complications.

According to a 1995 Massachusetts study that closely parallels the circumstances of this case:

“[Some] who exploit runaway youth include [individuals] who trade shelter, drugs, food, or money for sex. Again, the young runaway may not think of such a relationship as prostitution, but rather will think of the older individual as a “boyfriend” or “sugar daddy,” and see no reason to assist police or prosecutors in their efforts to bring charges against their perceived benefactors.”The D.A. says his office has talked to the victim’s mother who has discussed with her son the importance of testifying against Fleischman. Assistant District Attorney John F. Luetscher [U.W. 1984] will have a face-to-face meeting with the youth. “We will try to convince him to cooperate,” he tells milwaukeeworld. Zakowski adds there are measures available in the court system to ensure the youth’s anonymity. If he is unable to secure the cooperation of the victim (which, in a sense, is yet another degree of victimization), Zakowski says, “the plan is to refile something, based on the charges we can bring. It is not a matter of ‘if.’ It is a matter of ‘when.’” … The director of the youth home adds her organization has erected a fence in the back yard of the property since the episode, and that Fleischman no longer lives in the neighborhood – a requirement of his bond.

WILL DALLET DANCE INTO OPEN SEAT? Two months ago Judge Joseph R. Wall announced his departure from his seat and his plans to return to the United States Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor. At the time milwaukeeworld speculated it would provide yet another opportunity for Governor James E. Doyle to appoint a crony to the bench. As has been the case in the past, the appointee would then sail to election by virtue of incumbency. However, the months flew by, and the governor never made an appointment. Neither did the chief judge of Milwaukee County announce that the governor intended the seat to remain vacant until next spring. Enter Rebecca Dallet, an attorney who has managed to sign up over 600 supporters – including 30 judges – for her campaign to replace Wall in the 40^th branch. According to her campaign website, Dallet serves as the Milwaukee County Administrative Court Commissioner, where she replaced the retiring Frank Liska. She is the first woman to hold the position, where she works directly with Chief Judge Kitty Brennan. Brennan, curiously, is not listed as one of Dallet’s supporters, but this is probably simply due to modesty. Dallet made an appearance Thursday, November 15^th, 2007 at a fundraiser for Rep. Pedro Colon, the assemblyman who hopes to win the City Attorney’s seat from incumbent Grant Langley. It is believed to be the first time she has ever been seen in public, but that may be because she is quite petite.

U.S. MARSHAL SEAT STILL VACANT While speculation swirls about the eventual nominee to fill the Federal Judgeship in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner must also consider a replacement for the U. S. Marshal for this district. It could prove to be a short-lived appointment, since a new president would presumably award this plum to a supporter. It is likely that republicans are not clamoring for a position that might last a few months, but Milwaukee County Judge John Siefert says he’s told the congressman he’s be willing to sit at the Marshal’s desk for the duration if duty calls.

CITY CUTS $2.8 MILLION FROM 411 E. WISCONSIN ASSESSMENT The City of Milwaukee Board of Review has approved a $2.8 million reduction in the value of the 411 E. Wisconsin Avenue building, possibly based on the aesthetic damage done to the structure when gaudy signs for the formerly staid and austere Quarles & Brady law firm were erected on the roof. The reassessment will require a $68,130.24 refund to the property owner, to reflect a recission of taxes and interest. … In other real estate news, Robert Klavetter, a quirky Riverwest real estate owner with considerable holdings on E. Center Street died in Phoenix on November 2^nd. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 at 4 p.m. at 926 E. Center Street.