GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A day after the special prosecutor in Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt‘s criminal case requested the judge give him a fine and community service, Schmitt’s attorney believes that’s too harsh of a penalty.
Attorney Patrick Knight submitted a 15-page sentencing memorandum Wednesday, which outlines why he believes Schmitt should be fined $1,500 for the three misdemeanor offenses in connection with violating Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws.
In the memorandum, Knight wrote:
“The offenses are not violent, vicious or aggravated in nature, and arose out of a poorly managed campaign and a misunderstanding of campaign finance law.”
Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf in his sentencing memorandum recommended $4,000 in fines and 40 hours of community service. Landgraf added that he didn’t seek jail time, per the plea agreement reached by both parties ahead of charges being filed earlier this year.
Knight says Schmitt has donated the remainder of his campaign funds – $23,197.56 – to the School Fund. He also wrote that Schmitt continues to face the added penalty of “public shaming” as the result of this case.
Schmitt will be sentenced in Brown County Circuit Court at 9 a.m. on Monday, December 5.
