(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Sharmain Seville Harris is a 34-year old felon who lives in Kenosha. KCE has recently learned that the Director of Kenosha County Human Services, John Jansen (D) has been giving Harris hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax-payer money. The total so far? $112,462.40. This number is climbing. What is he being paid so much money to do? According to Kenosha County Contracts we obtained, Equity Focus Groups and Access & Visitation – Fatherhood Program. These big-money contracts were signed by former County Executive Jim Krueser (D) and Jansen. The attendance is low, even with the county giving $100 gift cards to attend. What qualifications does Harris have to teach men how to be a father? When you see how he treated his children’s mother, you will maybe doubt his qualifications. Harris has a very serious and long criminal history. He has been booked into the Kenosha County Jail at least 14 times.
Here is Harris’ citation/arrest/conviction record:
Felony Second Degree Reckless Endangerment
Felony Strangulation and Suffocation (Repeater)
Felony Bail Jumping
Felony Bail Jumping
Felony Bail Jumping
Felony Manufacture and Deliver Cocaine on or near a school (Possession with Intent)
Felony Manufacture and Deliver Cocaine on or near a school (Possession with Intent)
Felony Imitation of Controlled Substance on or near a school (Possession with Intent)
Felony Imitation of Controlled Substance on or near a school (Possession with Intent)
Misdemeanor Battery (Repeater)
Misdemeanor Theft (Repeater)
Misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property (Repeater)
Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct
Misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property
Misdemeanor Resist/Obstruct Officer
Ordinance Possession of Marijuana
Ordinance Retail Theft
Ordinance Curfew
Ordinance Curfew
Ordinance Curfew
Ordinance Curfew
Ordinance Curfew
Ordinance Curfew
Ordinance Operating Vehicle after Suspension
Ordinance Operating Vehicle after Suspension
Ordinance Operating Vehicle after Suspension
Ordinance Operating Vehicle after Suspension
Ordinance Operating Vehicle after Suspension
Ordinance Operating Vehicle after Suspension
Ordinance Operating Vehicle after Suspension
Ordinance Operating Vehicle after Suspension
(10) Other Traffic Citations
Let’s talk about the serious charges.
He was convicted of crack-selling in two cases. Judge Mary K. Wagner (D), who is perhaps the most soft-on-crime judge Wisconsin has ever seen, went easy on him, giving him 4 years of probation for the two felony convictions.
Four months after he was caught selling crack, he was charged with 6 felonies and 2 misdemeanors for an alleged gang-land assault in the 4600 block of 36th Ave. According to the criminal complaint, and a source, on May 17, 2009, Harris, also known by his gang name of “Slim”, was accused of beating a man with a baseball bat. He then threw a brick through the window of a house hitting a woman and nearly missing a child. Harris was with about 30 other people, all alleged to be members of the same street gang. Believe it or not, Wagner gave him only 2 more years of probation on top of the 4 already imposed. No jail.
In 2011, Harris was charged for yet another incident of violence. He was charged with 1 felony and 3 misdemeanors. According to the criminal complaint, Harris kicked in the door to his ex-girlfriend’s (now wife and mother to his children) home and entered it without permission. The victim told police he was upset looking for drugs and money. When Harris realized she was on the phone with 9-1-1, he strangled her and dragged her around the home by her throat and hair. He then took the phone from her. He then took her wallet and left the home. This case revoked his probation and sent him to prison. He was given an over-generous plea deal again for the domestic violence case.
Harris was finally made to account for his criminal behavior and was sent to prison where he did several years behind bars. For some reason, the progressive DA, Mike Graveley (D) and Mary K Wagner (D) really took a liking to the dangerous man. They allowed him to be released from his extended supervision early. The two are also endorsing a pardon for Harris. If pardoned, he will have the felonies forgiven and he will be allowed to carry a gun and hold public office. We emailed John Jansen to ask him why he is paying Harris over a hundred grand and counting. He didn’t answer our email. Harris certainly wouldn’t pass a background check to work for the County directly, but by way of these contracts, he was paid indirectly by the county. Finally after many more contacts we heard back from Jansen who said in part,
“I am aware of Mr. Harris‘ past…….Mr. Harris is a shining example of turning his life around while giving back to the community.” Many people would “give back to the community” for six figures. Jansen, who is perhaps one of the most liberal and progressive member of the County Administration, was just re-appointed by County Exec Samantha Kerkman (R) and approved unanimously by the majority-conservative County Board. This move confused many conservatives who voted for change earlier this year.
Executive Director of University Relations UW Parkside
We have also learned that Harris was hired by The University of Wisconsin Parkside as a “Criminal Justice Lecturer.” We reached out to the Executive Director of University relations, Tannette Elie to ask how Harris passed the University’s background check. She emailed back that she had “no comment”. Her pronouns, “She, her, hers” were proudly displayed in her email signature. We did a public records request for Harris’ salary and job application through the university, and Elie told us that neither were public records. Ms. Elie, allow KCE to educate you. We’ve won several public records lawsuits. We know the law. The most central issue with the genesis of F.O.I.A. is government employees’ salaries. We will get these records for sure. UW Parkside Chancellor Deborah Ford had no comment either. Harris made a Facebook post earlier this month indicating that DA Mike Graveley helped him to land this job. We asked Graveley for emails between him and UW staff. He tipped off Harris today.
Harris’ business “Sharmain Harris and Associates had some impressive “endorsements” on his website:
Here’s the thing – we know 6 of these 8 are fake, and the other two wouldn’t comment. We reached out to all 8 organizations and this is what they told us.
WIC and Wisconsin Department of Children and Families: Director Kari Malone told us “Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The WIC program does not endorse anyone and we have asked Mr. Harris to remove our logo and any reference that might indicate an endorsement by the program from his website. (4-9-2021)
Kenosha Unified School District and Early Head Start: KUSD Chief Communication Officer Tanya Ruder told us “We have reached out to Mr. Harris twice to find out who provided him permission to note KUSD as endorsing him because we are unaware of this happening. We have not yet heard back.” (3-29-2021)
Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA): Director Todd Battle was not eager to talk to us, but then relented and told us in part: “KABA hosted an event a few years ago where there was a discussion/interview with DA Mike Graveley and Sharmain”… “Not sure how this amounts to an endorsement” (3-31-2021)
Wisconsin County Human Service Association: Director Katie Davis told us: “WCHSA has not endorsed Harris or his services.” (4-9-2021)
Carthage College President John Swallow would not comment either way after repeated attempts to get a comment.
LMI Packaging would not comment.
As of today, September 13, 2022, all of these fake endorsements are gone from his website. Harris promises that he is a changed man, but his Facebook page and other social media pages are filled with hate. For example, he calls Caucasian folks “white supremacists” if they don’t agree with him. Has he changed? Are there people with less serious felony records that are more deserving of a pardon, or 6-figure job? Why does he get special treatment from judges and DAs? These are questions we may never know the answers too.
Do you think the tax-payers should be paying this man $112k? Sound off in the comments.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
38 Responses
Alternative ways of looking at it:
1. It’s probably better than sending money to Ukraine. At least this guy will spend it in the community.
2. 112k to expose corrupt democrats, ruin their reputations and rid them of their public jobs? Money well spent! Much cheaper than collecting year after year.
3. Can’t the county just make up his 112k salary by fining “white supremacists” that litter information in plastic baggies at no expense to the community?
WOW! What does he have on them!? not right!
Obviously, there is a cooperative factor involved here. Something fishy. Like secret society stuff. Prince Hall? Something doesn’t add up.
Excellent work Kevin thank you for your courage and tenacity.
What a shame that no other news outlets will expose the poverty pimps and race hustlers everywhere in Kenosha.
Kevin is exactly what Kenosha needs. After all, not all heros wear capes. If Kenosha News changed their logo to the hammer and sickle, and started calling everyone ‘Comrade’ it would not surprise me one bit.
Nailed it!
( insert preferred deity here) bless you, Kevin, for being the only real news source on Kenosha County. Your dedication is appreciated more than you may know.
WTF. I am a law abiding citizen and cannot make 112 k. Maybe that’s the point I need to start getting arrested then DA Gravely can get me a job. This isn’t right.
You gotta get hooked-up with Parkside ……..
DA Graveley teaches criminal law classes at Parkside. Due to that, he has likely developed relationships with Parkside administrators.
I am interested to know of the academic credentials of this “changed man.” You would think that one would have to have at least a Masters to be qualified to be a “criminal justice lecturer” at a University of Wisconsin system school. KCE should file a records request for this guy’s employment records with UWP. These records should have documents related to his academic credentials.
One last thing. There is so much deception from the players in this sordid tale. Lying becomes part of the nature of who these people are. Graveley’s malicious deception in a John Doe proceeding is the subject of a grievance with the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation. The shameful manner in which the OLR has dealt with this grievance against Graveley is now the subject of an action filed with the Brown County Circuit Court. This link is to a recent brief that was filed in the case. It provides stunning information about Graveley’s ethical misconduct.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cL3UjwCHkM3do5ZT4i-QJyu3o-21QIem/view?usp=sharing
I did some digging.
Turns out he DOES have a master’s degree from Carthage College. Seems like he may have turned his life around.
If it is from Carthage College, it is a real degree. I give him credit for that. The former police chief and current city administrator, John Morrissey, claims to have a real bachelor’s degree from a shady mail order college in Florida. Yea, right. The city council and the mayor are ok with that. Read Kevin’s article about it.
https://kenoshaeye.com/?s=Morrissey+degree
How much you want to bet that he doesn’t report all of his income on his taxes….?
What does this say about Kerkman’s judgement? I voted for her to get her out of the state legislature because she was just a tool for Voss, but that may have been a mistake because it likes she can do more damage to Kenosha than she did in state government.
It seems as though Mr Mathewson has uncovered a Democrat mechanism to funnel Taxpayer money to a Brown Shirt wing of the Democrat (Communist) Party also known as BLM. I’m guessing DA Graveley is proud that one of his kids (Harris) has climbed up the ladder to such a notable position. Shame on Kerkman and other county reps for not vetting this slime and fraudulent situation. I’m beginning to wonder if Samantha Kerkman is just another Swamp RINO. Thanks to Mathewson for his diligent work.
It’s pretty ironic and hypocritical for people to be upset with his article as Facebook shows. I mean the left has been screaming accountability and going after peoples business and jobs they don’t agree with. Why is it the Kenosha elite of activists can try and defame and destroy business, peoples place of work and advertise their homes when they don’t fit their agenda? The hypocrisy is real with the left
I love paying over $1,000 a month in property taxes for shit like this, and to have my garbage picked up.
I am pretty sure I could find a private garbage service for less than 1,200 a month…
112 thousand for a career criminal ? Yep that’s a good deal for the taxpayers of Kenosha .
Is there no end to the shady deals the local democrats have made. My shock is that no seems concerned! But then why would be this seems to be status quote for local government.
This is a fake, phony, made-up, useless job. Hiring and paying a six-figure taxpayer funded salary too a degenerate ne’er-do-well tells us of the low morals of the elected and appointed officials in Kenosha County and Wisconsin. They are trained, indoctrinated Bolshevik thieves, sowing chaos and destroying quality of life in our communities. It is entirely intentional.
Rise and grind Wisconsin! It’s your job to pay for your own demise.
P.S. You can bet your bottom dollar all of these fake jobs and government positions probably have excellent benefit packages that cost in the tens of thousands of dollars,
also.
Well said and spot on! Corruption on the backs of the average taxpayer.
Carthage College does the same thing, hiring people that were run out of Kenosha City professionally can still get “Box Checker Enforcement” HR jobs at Carthage.
It seems that both Jansen and Gravely have serious cases of white guilt.
This is ridiculous. Bunch of idiots throwing money at pieces of shit and pretending they will magically get better.
Go along to get along Samantha Kerkman strikes again!
No offense to anyone but back in my days the only money made like that from a DA & others was for a big time snitch. I’m just saying, not making accusations.
These are the same people who denied me access to my grandchild because of my felon conviction from 40 years ago, after his fuck-up parents lost custody of him and he was thrust into foster care. Civil rights abuse by the same liberals crying about the MAGA movement! No worries though, GOD will have His vengeance! Get on your knees and pray you evil people.
I think those who posted ahead of me that there’s either blackmail or snitching involved are probably correct on both counts. My guess would be personal threats of death to family members of anyone who didn’t keep the cash cow giving him milk. Why would I say something like that? Because it’s not any more ridiculous than giving him the money and keeping him out of jail
Please for the love of GOD find a way to repurpose and somehow close that liberal, far left, taxpayer draining, BLM, ANTIFA ,LGBTQIE loving ,ANTI AMERICAN, ANTI GOD, ANTI FAMILY, ANTI WHITE CHRISTIAN MALE mind warping shit hole UW Parkside. They have become nothing more than a breeding ground for radical left wing ideology. We do not not need that enormous land and building campus in Kenosha any longer. Turn into a giant charitable, privately run high school for parents that desperately want to escape from the KUSD and RUSD shit holes. This will hopefully prevent all future public school referendums in the area which only bleeds elderly property owners.
With all that money Kenosha’s mayor should follow the lead of VP Harris and have the buses from Texas drop off migrants in the safest part of Kenosha.
“Allendale is friendly neighborhood that is safe and well-kept. I can’t imagine living in or raising a family in another neighborhood in town.”
Mandela Barnes please help!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nltygu2mjoc
I am disappointed in our new county executive Kerkmen for re-appointing this criminal. Certainly disappointed in the conservative members of the board and Gravely, Jansen and Judge Wagner. Kenosha County residents need leaders who do their due diligence and who will get off of the white guilt band wagon. I’ll bet there are other criminals who cleaned up their act who did not enjoy the wild benefits of Mr Harris.
Great work Kevin!
Imagine the outcry of the hypocritical left if a republican lied on their endorsements as he did. They would be crying in the streets. But we all know they turn that blind eye
And he’s about to get pardoned
Very unlikely
You stated he’s in with gravely, I’m sure a letter from him and probably our mayor, along with wack Evers he will get it