CAEGI 0003 November Ads 2022x250

Kenosha County Eye

Two Top Government Employees On Administrative Leave Among Corruption Allegations

Share
Tweet
Kenosha Joint Services Fleet Management Manager Pat Sepanski and ID/Evidence Supervisor Sebastian Kawka
(Cell Phone Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Two high-ranking government employees are on admisnistrative leave among a law-enforcement probe into misconduct and possibly, corruption. KCE can confirm that Fleet Management Manager Pat Sepanski and ID/Evidence Supervisor Sebastian Kawka have both been placed on administrative leave as a direct result of the probe.

Paid Advertisement

Joint Services is a governmental agency that is funded by Kenosha County taxpayers. It provides services for 9-1-1, police records, police identification, evidence, and fleet maintenance for the Kenosha Police Department and the Kenosha Sheriff’s Department, as well as a few small services for other agencies. Joint Services, under the leadership of Josh Nielsen and before him, Tom Genthner, has had many scandals and misconduct instances over the last four decades. Their staffing levels are at a critical low point due to poor employee morale.

.

Paid Advertisement
Joint Services Director Josh Nielsen
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

At least one whistle-blower told Sepanski’s boss, Director Josh Nielsen, about some troubling allegations. According to the whistle-blower, Nielsen ignored the complaints. He/she then brought the complaint to KCE. We don’t ignore allegations of misconduct.

The whistle blower’s allegations that were ignored by Nielsen but reprted on by KCE are as follows:

Paid Advertisement

He/she alleges:

Sepanski regularly gains financially though his position.

Paid Advertisement

Sepanski collects scrap metal (rims, rotors, exhaust systems, radiators, etc.) from the agency and sells the metal for money, keeping it.

Sepanski keeps rebates from Menards for purchases made on behalf of the tax-payers

Sepanski purchased vehicle lifts for less than market value from the agency and later sold them for a profit.

Sepanski is storing many personal items in a maintenance garage, taking up space desperately needed for operations.

Sepanski brings his personal vehicles to the shop to work on them, using Joint Services supplies, tools, and parts – sometimes while on duty.

Joint Services Board Chairman Monica Yuhas (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

KCE brought these allegations to the attention of the Chairman of the Joint Services board, Monica Yuhas (D) on August 26, 2022. She responded two days later, saying, “I will be following up on Monday with Director Nielsen regarding theses allegations and will ask for them to be thoroughly looked into.” We learned that Monica, Nielsen, and Assistant Director Stephanie Lorenzo didn’t want the police involved. They were conducting only an “internal” investigation.

Kenosha Alderman David Mau and County Board Member Terry Rose

Kenosha Alderman David Mau and County Board Member Terry Rose both insisted, in writing to Nielsen that they wanted a law enforcement investigation. Law enforcement would soon be contacted. It is unknown which law enforcement agency is investigating – no one will tell us. We don’t know how the ID/Evidence supervisor is allegedly involved either. We will, however not give up until we learn.

Neither Yuhas, Nielsen nor Lorenzo responded to multiple requests for comment.

Author

  • Kevin Mathewson

    Kevin Mathewson is a disciple of Christ, husband and a father to two wonderful children. Mathewson was born and raised in Lake County, IL and worked as a police & fire dispatcher from 2005 to 2010 in Round Lake Beach, IL. Mathewson moved to Kenosha County in 2006, later being elected to the position of Alderman of the 8th District in 2012 and 2016. Mathewson is a private investigator, security contractor, journalist, and photographer. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, camping and boating. His favorite amendment is the second, followed closely by the first. He loves his country and community.

Share
Tweet
LATEST NEWS

County Executive Hires Woman Fired For Fraud, Under Criminal Investigation

County Executive Samantha Kerkman isn’t answering any questions about a very risky hire she maid a few months ago – Sherry Kruse. Kruse is the County’s new Veterans Benefits Representative. Before County Executive Samantha Kerkman hired her for the important role, she worked for the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County as its Assistant Superintendent. According to her personnel file, released by VACLC by means of a F.O.I.A. reques, she had been in extremely hot water

Read More »

Kenosha Woman Announces Bid for Mayor

Elizabeth Garcia quipped Kenosha is her hobby, saying “I wish it were my job!” A workingmother who uses her free time towards bettering our city, Garcia has announced her bid forMayor of Kenosha. Enthusiastic and determined Garcia asserts, “ I am solution oriented: when Isee a problem, I try to fix it. If I can’t fix it, I find out who can. I want Kenoshans to know theirtax dollars are being used in meaningful ways; I

Read More »
MORE TOP STORIES

Kenosha College Student Thanks Lawyer For Her Recent Exoneration For Charges Related To Near-Deadly Crash

On May 19, 2023, Marissa Chon was doing what many college students do on a Friday night – drinking alcohol with friends. She was with her then-boyfriend, Elijah J. Schoffstall, a Carthage soccer player. At about 2:21 am, the two were involved in a serious car wreck at Carthage College, a school where they both attended. Both were severely injured and were lucky to survive. Police and bystanders quickly arrived at the scene of the crash

Read More »

Kenosha Judge Eviscerates First Amendment In Bizarre Ruling – Opinion

Circuit Court Judges, like David Wilk (D), can’t change the first amendment, no matter how much they hate it. It’s part of our great constitution and there are many layers of the judiciary above them, that work as checks and balances. That doesn’t mean that they can’t try, however. That’s exactly what David Wilk tried to do in an oral/written ruling from this past Monday. Lets begin with Judge WIlk’s beginning. Wilke attended Hamline University School

Read More »

Embattled Director Of Women’s Shelter Drops Lawsuit That Was Allegedly Filed Illegally

The embattled director of Women and Children’s Horizons dropped a lawsuit yesterday, two weeks after it was filed, and only 10 days after KCE published an article alleging she was practicing law without a license. According to a 8-count findings document outlining an investigation into misconduct, Paine was disbarred May 20, 2023. The documents says in part, “After proceedings conducted pursuant to [Michigan Supreme Court Rules], the panel found, based on [Paine’s] admissions to all of the

Read More »

Man Who Escaped Kenosha Prison In July Captured In Milwaukee County, Was In Possession of Firearm

On July 26, 2023 a State Prison inmate named Parish Eckford escaped from a Kenosha Prison. This is a State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections Facility and not associated with the Sheriff’s Department jail. Eckford was serving a 16-year prison sentence for the following convictions in Milwaukee Circuit Court: Eckford was scheduled to be released the month he escaped. He previously served 5 years for armed Robbery. The prison, is a minimum security prison that is

Read More »

After 30 Years On The Job, Kenosha Deputy Police Chief To Retire: Q and A

After 30 years on the job, the Kenosha Police Department’s # 2 is hanging up his gun belt. Deputy Chief Tom Hansche announced his retirement officially on October 4, 2023 in a memo to the Chief. “This memo is to inform you that I will officially retire from the Kenosha Police Department on December 31, 2023…I have been blessed with many opportunities and I wish you and the department nothing but the best of success in

Read More »

Salem Lakes Fire Chief, Inspector, Intimidated Subordinates Not To Cooperate With Investigation: Document

In an explosive report released to KCE following a public records request, investigators outline an inquiry into misconduct that was obstructed by the former Salem Lakes Fire Chief and Fire Inspector. The eight-page report begins with an executive summary saying “Overall, following nearly two-dozen interviews and the review of hundreds of pages of communications and records, it could be determined significant deficiencies exist in the respective performances of the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal. However, as

Read More »

17 Responses

  1. Yuhas is right. The process starts with initial inquiries and then a determination made to see if there needs to be escalation.

    Some of this doesn’t sound like a crime.

    That said, the rest sounds a bit like Steinbrink,jr.

    1. Doing nothing until they’re pressured isn’t the same as what u call “initial inquiries”. Many months of doing nothing.

  2. The potential allegations against ID/Evidence supervisor Kawca could be much more troubling and important than the alleged transgressions of the fleet maintenance supervisor. I hope KCE keeps digging and reports what is uncovered.

    1. Fleet maintenance manager is investigated for a Menards rebate and scrap metal (TRASH) ?? Really?? He should be commended for keeping the scrap out of the land fills!! What is next, investigate the janitor for collecting aluminum cans from Joint Services!?! Come on… Really!?!

      1. There’s a lot of money in these items. This money should be put back into the business for more parts, tools, etc, NOT use it for personal gains. Most people would call that theft, embezzlement, fraud of funds, etc.

    1. You’re a moron…. one of the people mentioned in this article is a right-wing, card-carrying Republican. Of course, Republicans can’t EVER do anything wrong…

          1. Good response. Clown. You want to call out the editor. That’s your turn to place burden of truth. Clown

  3. It wouldn’t surprise me if they are friends with the Steinbrinks. Any update on that scumbag John Jr.?

  4. I’d like to know if these clowns are still being paid while on administrative leave. It’s too bad these TAKERS are cheating the system.

  5. Wiling to bet this sort of behavior and worse is common practice when taxpayers foot the bill. Republicans or Demoncrats they are all trying to screw us over,

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS

Subscribe to updates

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.