(File Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner has aligned himself with County Executive Samantha Kerkman and Judge Chad Kerkman in blocking public access to records involving a sitting judge, asserting that judges should receive extraordinary secrecy — and going further by declaring the judge a crime victim, ostensibly tied to negative stories posted about the judge, a move critics say places judges above the law and outside public accountability.
In a three-page denial letter dated Dec. 16, Zoerner acknowledged that sheriff’s deputies were sent to the private residence of Judge Chad Kerkman “for security reasons,” but refused to release any record documenting when or how often those calls for service occurred. The sheriff’s office also claimed there were no incident reports or calls for service tied to the address, despite admitting law enforcement activity took place.
Mathewson said that admission is deeply troubling because sheriff’s office policy requires deputies to generate reports when they take law-enforcement action. “Police activity at a judge’s home without written reports is a serious problem,” Mathewson said. “If deputies were sent there and no reports were written, that raises an obvious question: who told those deputies not to write reports?”
The denial follows reports that Judge Kerkman repeatedly contacted the sheriff’s office to his home after allegedly claiming he believed he had seen journalist Kevin Mathewson near his residence — an allegation Mathewson categorically denies. Mathewson says he sought the records to determine whether false police reports were being made about him, potentially exposing the judge to scrutiny for filing false reports or making defamatory claims.
“I wanted to see exactly what the judge was telling police about me,” Mathewson said. “If a judge is repeatedly calling law enforcement and falsely accusing a journalist of being outside his home, that’s not paranoia we should ignore — that’s something the public has a right to know.”
Instead of releasing even redacted records, Zoerner’s letter declares that the judge “may be a potential crime victim” in an ongoing investigation being handled by an outside agency, ostensibly tied to negative stories posted about the judge. No criminal charges, case numbers, or court filings are identified in the letter.
By asserting victim status, the sheriff invoked crime-victim privacy protections to justify withholding all documentation of police activity at the judge’s home, even though the sheriff conceded the records are not part of an active investigation. Critics say that designation allows law enforcement to erase public records simply by labeling a judge a victim, without judicial review or public process.
Under normal circumstances, police responses to private residences generate dispatch logs, calls-for-service entries, or reports that are released in redacted form. Here, Zoerner has taken the position that when the subject is a judge, even confirming the existence of police activity is off limits.
Mathewson said the denial is part of a broader pattern involving county leadership. “The sheriff, by aligning himself with one of the most liberal activist judges to shield him from embarrassment, is very disappointing,” Mathewson said. “This is a man who ran claiming he is a conservative, yet he is siding heavily with Judge Chad Kerkman, a prominent Democrat.”
Mathewson also questioned the relationship between the sheriff and the county executive, pointing to what he described as frequent private meetings and joint travel. “Equally disturbing and suspicious is the amount of time the county executive spends in the sheriff’s personal office and the number of times they ride around together alone,” he said. “It shows a questionable alliance or relationship that appears to be influencing decisions and is costing the sheriff support among conservatives in the county.”
Mathewson said he fully intends to challenge the sheriff’s denial in court, but is currently managing multiple ongoing lawsuits. He said he is already suing the clerk of courts, the county executive, Judge Chad Kerkman, Wynn Lofenberg, and Bill Michael, and must use his time efficiently.
“The sheriff will be next,” Mathewson said. “This will be the third time I’ve successfully sued the sheriff’s office. It’s like they’re playing with Monopoly money. They know they’re going to have to give me the records, but instead they make me sue them, lose, and then pay my legal fees. And in the end, it’s the public who loses.”
Mathewson said Zoerner is spending thousands of taxpayer dollars to delay what he views as inevitable disclosure. “He’s really burning public money just to postpone transparency,” he said.
Mathewson also raised a pointed question about the implications of the sheriff’s position. “If Chad Kerkman were arrested for making a false police report, would the sheriff hide those records too?” he said. “This is ludicrous. The sheriff is acting like he’s the king and can use his political authority to shield political allies.”
Zoerner’s letter relies on a discretionary balancing test under Wisconsin’s Public Records Law, arguing that judicial privacy and security outweigh any public interest in disclosure. Transparency advocates counter that the use of public resources — deputies dispatched for security — is precisely the type of government action the law is meant to expose to public scrutiny.
The denial also raises the prospect of indefinite secrecy. Although Zoerner says the records are not part of an active investigation, he argues disclosure could interfere with an external review and violate victim privacy, a rationale critics say could permanently shield records even if no charges are ever filed.
At issue is not whether judges deserve safety, but whether their status allows police activity involving them — including allegations directed at journalists — to vanish entirely from public view. When judges can be deemed crime victims without charges and records can be withheld solely because of who they are, critics say it undermines the principle that no one is above the law.
For now, Zoerner’s decision places him alongside the county executive and a sitting judge in a growing pattern of record denials — one that critics say sends a clear and troubling message about power, politics, and transparency in Kenosha County.
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58 Responses
If they are hiding it, it must make them all look bad.
Can’t wait for the day they are all out of office, hopefully it’s sooner than later
Would it be worth it at this point to start a RECALL? With the time it takes to do a RECALL or wait for a new election, would it even be worth it to begin a RECALL?
They so scared now they won’t even calm each other. They gotta be meeting somewhere now!! It’s about to hit the fan for them!!!
For the 100th time, Sam Kerkman is not a Republican or conservative. She is an opportunist. You can see her with Barca, Antaramian and Kennedy frequently at gateway diner. She is so ignorant, she thinks they are her friends. Zoerner is same. Typical pols look out for themselves, not constituents. Disgusting that people fall for it over and over.
Um no,. I will be voting for Her and Sheriff Zoerner again. Overall I am proud of them and their work so far, I for one feel a lot safer in Kenosha County than I did 5 years ago. I’m not “falling” for anything. As things in the world change, so do things in the world of politics. I understand that fact.
Kenosha County has gone to hell under Zoerner and kerkmans VOTE THEM OUT
I’m not voting for either one again, but I did like that we are now a Second Amendment Sanctuary City now.
Then you’re definitely not fiscally conservative, and you don’t care how your tax dollars are spent. While she was campaigning, I told her that the big boss in highways, Jason Freitag, was going home for most of his work day. She said she would look into it. My boss told her it was happening and had been happening for years. That he left to take his kids to school, “drive school bus” was the running joke, and would come back for a little bit in the afternoon, generally after bringing them home from school. She didn’t do anything to stop it. He stole half his salary for YEARS and she let it happen.
The matter in question has been brought to attention of the appropriate authority. Disciplinary action has been taken. We consider the matter closed at this time.
Nah, because if disciplinary action had truly been taken, his other bullshit would have resulted in termination.
His bullshit would have resulted in termination for anyone else.
Others have been terminated for less.
This comment right here, the “we consider this matter closed at this time” with this crook still working and receiving the taxpayers dime, is why every elected official in Kenosha County needs to be unseated, and why the new exec needs to replace all of Kerkman’s slimy department and division heads.
Totally agree about the division heads! The human services department is corrupt and not actually serving the community like they use to!
Same with Highway Department. We don’t even have a person for every plow section, and when we can’t get the roads clean people die. Freytag fukks up the department, and then Bolt tells us it’s our fault and our problem that we can’t attract and keep good people because we have bad attitudes.
Then he stand in front of the public works committee and those Tim Walz-lookin retards praise him like he’s Lispy Jesus.
One reason why Zoerner branched off and renamed his Dept, to allow him to have more decision making without Human Resources Dept interfereing( like who he can hire). I don’t agree with Zoerner, and won’t vote for him again, but HR is ridiculous tieing the hands of depts for Kenosha County. Hopefully someone will step up and challenge him in the next election.
Must be a comment from Judge Kerkman.🤣
Consider: D flipped R zig-zag Zoerner and opportunist alpha-femme Kerkman, ex-wife public showcase of the homosexual micro-triggered crimimal advocate manchild Democrat judge are both Core Dems infiltrating the Rep Stupid Party to attain and maintain Democrat network political tail power. Their public.cavorting with Barca, Kennedy, and Antaramian are more than a convivial cafe coffee-klatsch. They are informal Democrat Politboro Standing Committee executive meetings.
These people are so corrupt! The two people with the letter R behind their name is highly questionable!
This article makes me so angry on the corruption through the court system with this judge, the sheriff, and a county executive! So tired of people getting away with things like this and nothing happens to them!
FBI WILL DRAIN THE SWAMP
The haven’t yet…
The (R) or (D) means nothing! That’s how you end up with pieces of shit like this. Blind obedience to a political party.
Kevin, keep on keeping on. We need total transparency about this. Local politicians are fools for thinking they can hide this information.
Zorner took office to benefit himself and his buddy’s he has proven who he really is and wont be reelected. Shame of all the tax money he has wasted!!
Kenosha police corruption…
https://youtu.be/MDtmGq0UNrk
Didn’t you say you were friends with Zoerner? I think it’s pretty evident he doesn’t feel the same way.
Used to be. Not even a little anymore. He’s not a loyal person or friend.
He seems quite loyal to the Kerman’s tho.
Not what I voted for, that’s for sure.
Correction: Kerkmans
Sorry you had to find that out the hard way……
The Three Little Piggies.
Sam’s up this cycle. Nomination papers due soon !
Who’s running against her ??
The photo is a picture of who not to vote for during their next election.
Oh Sam, the disappointment is so real.
You have fallen so far, I doubt you can recover.
Why is no one running against her?! Or majority of these idiotic useless county board supervisors? I get it. Nobody wants to run. We need CHANGE!
My thinking is, is that there are no conservatives in Kenosha willing to go up against a total left wing who dominates the city and county. They simply couldn’t stomach the corruption, dishonesty, the liars that dominate these municipalities for any period of time. Also, I believe that most voters are creatures of habit and do not have the exposure to the truth on these people, just continues voting the same old same old. If you’re honest, they gang up on you, make your life hate what you attempted to accomplish. Two honest people who gave it a shot I’m aware of in recent times. City Councilman David Mau, DA Solis who I believe honestly will bail from the DA position the term. The headaches, harassment is not worth it. In Mau’s case he refused the be a “yes” man, they bullied him. He had principles, the thugs running the show hate that. They prefer sheep. Solis a good guy who is being treated like Trump sort of. Ridiculed behind his back, get’s little cooperation from the left extremist judges or his pre programmed left ADA’s. He can’t possibly change all that. Why no one run’s. You have to have made a name for yourself amongst the dishonest and corrupt. People who have their foot in the door. Stay home and save your vote. Nothing will change and they know it.
I agree with you . The corruption is so deep seeded , and has been for decades. The County Board briefly turned red , then Gabe Nudo cracked up . Who in their right mind would want to wade into this cesspool?
Maybe Kevin Mathewson is just crazy enough. To whomever decides that they are they are that person, I say , watch your back .
I agree with you. Solis has faced backstabbing and betrayal since the moment he won. In addition, there has been ongoing frustration from the establishment, beginning with judge Gabriel’s reaction to Carli losing, to Jerkman with his efforts to target Kevin because he could not proceed further against Solis by default.
A critical point is that Solis is guided by ideals and principles. At the outset, he offered a clean slate to many who wished to remain, despite the fact that their actions repeatedly caused disruption. He is now finally cleaning house and surrounding himself with a reliable team. Once this process is complete, he will impress many people, and those who were poisoning the environment in his office will be gone
Does anyone know how much Jim Kreuser’s retirement pension haul is? I heard that when the County Exec position was created in 80-81, that it would be a nice tidy set up.
Kreuser’s retirement pension will is determined by a state pension formula involving many factors. Some of these are : Age at retirement, service category, years of service, year you started service, if he chose variable or percentage interest, did he take the cash option. It’s the same set of rules for all employees whether county, municipality, or state position, factors about your beneficiary. You can look it up on the Wisconsin Retirement System website. I’m guessing only Kreuser knows the exact amount. Given the expansion of business/industry in the county and the AAA municipal bond rating when he left office. He earned every cent of his pension. He was also wise to say “No” to Fox Conn.
I forgot a big factor – your three highest years of wages or salary.
Sam can now retire and make much more than she did in the assembly.
All while being equally as useless!
So an out of control sodomite and reprobate claims special victimhood status. Isn’t that how the Liberal Game is played today?
Hey just because YOU don’ like it up the ass…
FREE Sgt Hard 😜
Who cares? It doesn’t affect anyone’s life outside of that particular court case.
Wrong- it impacts everyone who pays taxes in Kenosha County.
Is this what you want your dollars spent on? Legal defense, and then ultimately damages when they lose?
Hypothetical situation,Asking for a friend …. “A person hired a divorce attorney in Kenosha County but began to question if the attorney was actually working for the other side. The person then fired the attorney and proceeded pro se (representing themselves). After the person signed a stipulation for withdrawal, the attorney filed the paperwork along with a ‘proposed final bill.’ A couple of days later, the person saw that a judge granted a judgment against them without any prior notice of being served. The person then proceeded with the divorce, initially thinking nothing of the judgment. During the divorce proceedings, the judge granted a final judgment and instructed the other spouse’s lawyer to deduct the money for the bill from the final settlement.
This is a hypothetical question, of course.
Pro se in a divorce? You either are broke or stupid….maybe even both.
Really? you are going to put someone down for being broke? Also, Some people don’t believe in throwing money at attorneys.Did you ever think of that?
I’m really not that stupid because I have all of the emails and documents along with court records. I would say the judge is stupid for thinking that this is OK also, this isn’t the only judicial misconduct I have on this judge of course there’s more to the story! I’m just getting started.
Courts in other states have allowed the public to request images taken by Flock cameras. You should request all images of the Judge’s car between certain dates to see where he goes.
Zoerner and Kerkman prove that a Wisconsin Republican is in reality an UNDOCUMENTED DEMOCRAT.
What happened to “No Kings” and “No One is Above the Law”?
Time to pull this rancid weed from the roots. Imagine STILL believing that our issues here will be solved through voting or politics. Let’s start from square zero. These people are no less human or mortal than we are.