BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – We’re learning more details surrounding the ugly split involving former Brown County Corporation Counsel Juliana Ruenzel and County Executive Troy Streckenbach.
Late last year Ruenzel was accused of harassing new mothers pumping breast milk at work. She denies those allegations, but did resign from her job in March. Ruenzel also received a nearly $61,000 settlement to cover six months’ pay and 9 months of health insurance costs.
Some county supervisors criticized Streckenbach for that deal. In an interview with FOX 11 Thursday, Streckenbach said the newly released documents explain the position he was in.
“Ultimately we were faced with a bad or a worse decision, and ultimately we chose to go with the route that best mitigated the possible liability for the county,” said Streckenbach.
A seven-page report from a Madison law firm investigating the allegations involving Ruenzel was made public Wednesday night by the county.
The report, written by Jill Pedigo Hall of the firm von Briesen and Roper, concludes Ruenzel showed bias against young women, was dishonest and made her employees fear retaliation.
Inside the report, multiple staff members heard Ruenzel make comments like “Isn’t that [pumping] getting old?” and “That is gross to me.” The county makes private rooms available for anyone who may be breast feeding.
Meantime, a two-paragraph statement from Ruenzel was also released in which she accused Streckenbach of a “one-sided” investigation which led to her resignation.
“I was merely holding employees accountable for county time and protecting the county coffers,” writes Ruenzel. “There was no harassment here as was concocted by two disgruntled employees.”
Supervisor Pat Evans defended Ruenzel in an interview Thursday.
“The issue of breast-pumping is there, I get that, but making Ms. Ruenzel out to be a monster is certainly not true,” Supervisor Pat Evans said, defending Ruenzel. “I think the public will find it quite interesting that it is a really a one-sided quote un-quote investigation. From the beginning it was determined that they wanted to get Ms. Ruenzel out of there, and they did that.”
Streckenbach said the law firm’s report shows what really happened.
“I think the report that was done and conducted by a third-party truly represents the matter and it speaks for itself,” he said.
Streckenbach says the county is conducting interviews to find Ruenzel’s replacement.
