GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – For the first time since being charged with violating Wisconsin election laws, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt appeared in public.
Schmitt was one of the guest speakers at the UW-Extension center’s 20th anniversary event.
When questioned about criminal charges filed against him, Schmitt declined an on camera interview with our media partner FOX 11 saying he can’t comment, “Until after this works thorough the process” and that “He is going to continue to be Mayor.”
Schmitt is expected to plead guilty to 3 misdemeanor charges in a plea deal, which still needs to be accepted by the judge in the case.
Earlier this week several Common Council members asked for Schmitt to resign. There was also an online petition that began circulating.
“I think overall he’s done a lot of good things for the city, but this was really something that I looked at and said you can’t do this kind of stuff,” said Shae Sortwell creator of the online petition.
Schmitt has served as the Mayor of Green Bay since 2003, but there are options that could lead to Schmitt being removed from office, including an ethics complaint, or recall election.
An ethics complaint could be filed. If the complaint reaches the city council, three quarters of the 12 member council would need to agree on removal.
Another option is a recall election. Signatures would need to be collected and verified equal to 25 percent of the number of people who voted in Green Bay during the 2014 governor race.
The last option is if a judge does not accept Schmitt’s plea agreement of three misdemeanors, and the mayor is eventually convicted of a felony. Even then, according to the state’s elections commission, the attorney general or someone filing a complaint with the A.G. would need to start a process for the mayor’s removal.
