GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Brown County Supervisors Guy Zima and Pat Evans held a news conference in Green Bay Monday, speaking out about the resignation of their former corporation council.
Juliana Ruenzel was paid almost $61,000 in a settlement earlier this year, but the county supervisors were not informed of that decision.
Evans says they are asking for answers and justice.
“A resignation when there becomes negotiation with the county, Ms. Ruenzel and her team negotiated with the county numerous times, that means you have to get the county board involved.”
Evans says he wants the public to understand the truth.
“Do you want to use the term hush money, this is what it is…from the county executive hushing up an employee, say here’s some money, don’t sue, here’s a recommendation letter, let’s just move along,” says Evans.
USA Today Network-Wisconsin reports that Ruenzel’s departure derived from complaints made from her reaction to co-workers pumping breast milk at work.
Meanwhile, County Executive Troy Streckenbach responded in a statement relating to Ruenzel’s settlement:
“Due to the seriousness of the allegations and possible legal liabilities, an independent special investigator was brought in to investigate employee complaints regarding Juliana Ruenzel. After reviewing the investigation findings I initiated termination. However, outside counsel strongly advised that a settlement be reached due to threatened litigation. In addition, the termination process would have severely crippled the functionality of the corporation counsel’s office and created potential lawsuits from the complainants. I believe it was in the taxpayer’s best financial interest to mitigate costly lawsuits, keep a fully functioning corporation counsel office and protect women’s rights in the workplace.
Since a few County Supervisors have apparently been speaking openly about the matter, the risk management basis for protecting the specifics of this matter no longer exist. So, I intend to release the investigative report consistent with statutory requirements.”
Zima and Evans would like to see an investigation take place.
