In June and July of 2021, Kenosha County Eye Editor Kevin Mathewson made two public records requests to the Kenosha County DA’s office. Mathewson requested the disciplinary files of two employees of the office, Assistant District Attorney Emily Trigg, (ADA Kraus’s wife) and Victim/Witness Advocate Rhonda Bohr-Mrnak. Trigg and Bohr-Mrnak both were both alleged to have committed serious misconduct. Trigg was the prosecutor for State v. Caroline Prieto. Prieto was accused of shaking a baby, leaving the baby permanently disabled. Trigg ignored a court order for 2.5 years to produce a witness list. Her defiance of the court’s order caused the case the be dismissed. For employee Bohr-Mrnak, she was accused of slapping and threatening her step-daughter with a gun. She herself, was slapped with a restraining order.
Mathewson wanted to know if Kenosha County District Attorney Mike Graveley issued discipline to either of these employees. He is known for not issuing discipline in his office. Graveley denied Mathewson’s request, saying that if his employee’s disciplinary records were released and posted to Mathewson’s website, no one would want to work at the DA’s office. Graveley knew that reason he gave was not a legal one. Mathewson hired The Wisconsin Transparency Project Attorney Tom Kamenick and sued the Kenosha DA, once again. The AG’s office quickly settled the case, giving Mathewson the requested records and $2,500. “This is now the second time I’ve had to use the court system to obtain evidence of misconduct from the Kenosha DA’s office. Maybe it’s time for Graveley to be investigated. He thinks he is above the law. He is not. I’m glad I was successful in both of theses cases and I’m very grateful for my attorney, who is by far the best public records attorney in the state” Said Mathewson. With both lawsuits settling, Mathewson is to be paid $3,600 and receive the records he requested lawfully.
12 Responses
Good for you Kevin! Yea KCE! pop the champagne & celebrate! Relish the fact that dumb ass gravely is footing the bill for your bubly, mortgage, vaycay! Whatever you choose. I am so tickled pink for you and your attorney!
I would love to add “nanny nanny boo boo” to gravely, but, I will take the high road and not do so.
Thanks to KCE, government officials must be transparent — as they should be. Without gadflies like the KCE, government agents would get too comfortable.
Kevin Mathewson, you are a modern day trouble maker / gadfly in the “public square.” Keep it up, and continue to hold the government accountable.
Kevin, congratulations but I’m itching to know the source of the $3600 paid to you. Is Mike Graveley opening up his personal wallet or are the taxpayers of Kenosha County on the hook and footing the bill for Graveley’s improper and lawless office policies?
Thank you. The taxpayers are unfortunately on the hook. I take no joy in that but it is necessary
Congratulations!
Thank you!
It’s great to see victories like these! The good guys are losing so many battles today. Let’s clean up our houses one pile of garbage at a time. Thank you for your great leadership.
Thank you Jerry!
Kudo’s! I’m happy for you and the DA is overdo to being investigated.
Mr. Chicchini is right. You are a trouble maker. The best kind and we need you. Great job to you and your lawyer.