HORTONVILLE , WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The first of a two-day hearing last night in the case of Hortonville’s Police Chief.
Chief Michael Sullivan is accused of a variety of violations including harassment and discrimination.
WLUK covered the hearing.
In front of a standing-room only audience, Hortonville’s Police and Fire Commission listened to arguments on the validity of allegations against Sullivan.
James Macy is a private attorney representing the village.
“You’ve got a violation of rights. You’ve got a violation of policies and you’ve got some pretty serious matters.”
Greg Gill is the attorney representing Sullivan.
“The chief is going to tell you through the course of these proceedings that he has made mistakes. He used some off-colored language when he was in the shop with the other cops. He’ll also tell you that those things he said he wished he sure as heck wouldn’t have said.”
The things Sullivan allegedly said were laid out through extensive witness questioning and statements.
“Chief Sullivan’s response was that dumb (expletive),” said Andrew Kolosso, a safety adviser for the Hortonville School District, describing what he said he heard Sullivan say in response to learning an officer was expecting twin babies.
“He would call her fat (expletive) or hair lip,” said Sgt. Brian Barr of the Hortonvile Police Department of what Sullivan allegedly called a village official.
Other violations he is accused of include disclosing confidential information, telling employees there would be repercussions for filing grievances, and misusing village resources.
The hearing is set to resume 5 o’clock this afternoon. Sullivan has been off the job and getting paid since mid-October.
