(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A sitting Kenosha County Circuit Court judge has declined to deny a series of explosive allegations lodged against her in an official complaint filed with the Wisconsin Judicial Commission — allegations that include using the N-word, warning a romantic partner about an impending search warrant, coaching a witness on how to testify against that same partner, and admitting to “innately” ruling against specific attorneys she personally disliked.
Judge Jodi L. Meier (D), who presides over Branch 7 of Kenosha County Circuit Court, was contacted by Kenosha County Eye last week and given a full opportunity to respond to the allegations. She did not deny a single one.
The Complaint
The complaint was filed with the Wisconsin Judicial Commission by a former Kenosha County official who worked on Meier’s judicial campaign and developed what he describes as an extremely close personal friendship with her over the course of more than a year.
In the complaint, the former county official wrote that he and Meier “shared the most intimate and personal details” of their lives, and that over time he witnessed behavior he described as “rather disturbing and unethical” — behavior that gave him serious concern for “the sanctity of the court system.”
In an accompanying narrative submitted with the complaint, the former county official detailed more than a dozen specific incidents. Kenosha County Eye has reviewed those materials in full.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The N-Word Allegation
According to the former county official, Meier called him during a break from a judicial conference to discuss a controversy he was facing at the time. During that conversation, he alleges, Meier expressed puzzlement at why people were so sensitive about ethnic slurs — and then stated that where she was from, it was common to use the N-word freely and that “nobody cared or became offended.”
The former county official told Kenosha County Eye: “If a judge openly uses the N-word, can she be considered fair and neutral while deciding the fate of Black people? This behavior is not behavior becoming of a sitting judge.”
Tipping Off a Criminal Defendant
The complaint details what may be its most legally serious allegation: that Meier used the former county official as a back-channel to warn a man she was romantically involved with about an impending law enforcement search.
According to the complaint, Meier contacted the former county official specifically to inform him that a warrant had been issued and a search of a local business was imminent. The business was co-owned by a former City of Kenosha official who had recently been arrested and with whom Meier was in a romantic relationship at the time.
Meier allegedly asked the former county official to pass that information along to the former city official and his brother, and also provided advice on how additional damaging material might be avoided in any future search. The former county official says he relayed the information that same evening.
The complaint further states that Meier contemplated using the former county official’s personal phone to secretly communicate with the former city official directly — a workaround she considered because judges are prohibited from privately communicating with criminal defendants. According to the complaint, she ultimately decided against it.
Coaching a Witness
The complaint alleges that Meier worked to turn the former county official against the former city official — and then coached him on how to cooperate with prosecutors once she had done so.
According to the complaint, Meier falsely convinced the former county official that law enforcement considered him a possible accessory to the former city official’s alleged crimes, and that cooperating with prosecutors was his only protection. She allegedly coached him on how to define his statements, how to handle cross-examination, and how to frame his involvement — all while privately working to cause the former city official harm.
The former county official wrote that he now believes his decision to approach prosecutors was entirely the product of Meier’s lies and manipulation. “I deeply regret my decision to believe Jodi and turn on him,” he wrote, “and am pained by it still and will be for the rest of my life.”
He also alleges that Meier disclosed to him that she had a private conversation with the former city official’s own defense attorney — another potential ethical violation.
Bias, Judicial Temperament, and Conduct From the Bench
The complaint also addresses Meier’s conduct in her judicial role directly. According to the former county official, Meier admitted to him that she “innately” liked to rule against three specific Kenosha attorneys — one of whom ran against her for the judgeship she now holds.
Meier allegedly referred to two of the three using vulgar and sexist insults, called them jealous of her success, and expressed contempt for multiple colleagues on the bench, describing fellow judges as “dumb” and “ignorant.”
She also allegedly told the former county official that she enjoyed making “dead-beat husbands” cry in court and preferred to send them to jail — a statement that, if accurate, suggests predetermined sentencing outcomes based on personal satisfaction rather than legal merit.
The complaint further alleges that Meier regularly discussed confidential details of pending cases with friends, attorneys, and other judges outside of court, and admitted to asking fellow judges how they would sentence the former city official if he appeared before them.
In one incident, the former county official alleges Meier acknowledged that an inmate had remained incarcerated past his release date due to her oversight. Her reported reaction: “Oh well, what’s another hour?”
The complaint also alleges that Meier accepted gifts and meals from the former county official and others in apparent violation of judicial ethics rules.
“Mayor McCheese”
The complaint also alleges that Meier referred to Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala as “Mayor McCheese” — a mocking reference to the McDonald’s cartoon character.
Kenosha County Eye contacted Mayor Bogdala and asked whether he believed it was appropriate for a sitting judge to use such language about a city’s elected mayor. Bogdala did not respond.
A Body That Almost Never Acts
The Wisconsin Judicial Commission has publicly sanctioned just 30 judges in its nearly 50-year history — an average of less than one per year — despite receiving hundreds of complaints annually. The Commission’s own annual report states that it will dismiss a complaint when the alleged conduct, even if true, would constitute a single and minor violation. In other words, a single instance of misconduct, no matter how serious, may not be enough to trigger action. The complaint against Meier alleges more than a dozen.
No Denial, No Response
Kenosha County Eye contacted Meier by both text message and email, provided her with a summary of the allegations, and gave her a full opportunity to respond, deny, or dispute any of them. She did not.
Kenosha County Eye also asked Meier whether the conduct described in the complaint was consistent with her public image and Catholic faith, which she has emphasized in her public profile. She did not respond to that question either.
The Wisconsin Judicial Commission was also contacted and did not respond.
Judicial Commission proceedings are confidential under state law, meaning any investigation, private reprimand, warning, or other discipline imposed on Meier would not be publicly disclosed unless she consented to its release. There is no indication she has done so.
Background
Meier was appointed to the Kenosha County Circuit Court bench by former Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, after presenting herself publicly as a conservative candidate. Critics have long argued her record on sentencing and criminal cases has been notably more lenient than her public persona suggested.
The complaint was brought to Kenosha County Eye’s attention following its prior coverage of Meier’s conduct during the Justin Tercek homicide trial, in which multiple relatives of murder victim Andrew Pfannkuche told this publication they believed the proceedings were unfair.
One family member told Kenosha County Eye: “Thank you so much for your story. This has been a joke from day one and I’m glad someone is on our side.”
Andrew Pfannkuche’s brother, himself a veteran prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience, told this publication that if Meier had conducted herself the same way in the county where he practices, “she would have been fired by 5 o’clock the same day.”
The family took particular issue with Meier playing Jeopardy and distributing candy during jury selection in a brutal homicide case, while repeatedly attempting to involve both the victim’s family and the defendant’s family in the game.
“Excuse me, we were just not in the mood to play Jeopardy,” one family member said. “Unfortunately, we were about to see photos of Andrew brutally murdered along with his dog Jake, and we just didn’t think it was the right time.”
A Note on Press Credentials
Kenosha County Eye has been credentialed to photograph proceedings in her courtroom on numerous occasions. Although Meier can never ban KCE from attending hearings, she can revoke our photography rights. We have also been told that she has threatened to revoke those credentials if this story is published.
We’re publishing it anyway 😉
Editor’s Note
The allegations in this report remain allegations. Judge Meier has been given ample opportunity to dispute them and has declined. Kenosha County Eye will continue to report on this matter as it develops.
228 Responses
Stupid liberal judge, she needs to go
💯
Agreed
Yup
Well, well, well. Seems little Miss-Catholic-Radio has finally had her true nature revealed. For years, she has stomped around the courthouse in her thrifted stilettos, spreading vitriol and snark to those who dared cross her path. From bursting into private HR meetings (uninvited and not involving her) and cursing 🤬 at the rep to screaming at commissioners on speaker phone, to verbally berating and cajoling attorneys, Jodi’s nasty attitude and potty mouth are well-known around the courthouse.
Also well known is her desperate need for male attention and validation. She has made more than a few sheriff deputies uncomfortable with her “flirting.” One of her go-to flirts is to stand at the balcony overlooking the front entrance, where the metal detector is located, and giggle and toss candy to the deputies. Like they are zoo animals who are there for her amusement. Too bad her aim is so bad that some candy went into a wall sconce and Jodi panicked thinking it would catch fire so she LIED when she made a maintenance request and said she just noticed it in the sconce. Ummmmm, imagine maintenance’s surprise when they checked the video cameras and found not an act of vandalism but an act of pathetic flirting by an almost 60-year old. Jodi doesn’t think twice when lying, it’s her second nature.
It is of no surprise to anyone to hear that Jodi would pass along search warrant information to help her latest fling. What’s surprising is that it hasn’t happened more often, given her lack of moral compass.
Jodi deserves all of the attention she is getting from this article and others. Sooooooooo many current and former coworkers have story after story of her delusions of grandeur and her verbal and mental abuse. Pull back the curtain and let the truth prevail.
Get the French fries, mayo, and crystal light ready- Jodi’s going to binge tonight!
She’s not a liberal
Yes she is. What’s your email. I’ll send you photos.
Post the photos
Did she really play a game during jury selection in a murder trial? Who the fuck does that? She clearly has NO empathy.
Exactly! She’s such a joke!
Agreed 💯
A friend of mine had a case in front of her for divorce. It took her over a year to rule on it. While her and her kids were limbo. There was no business involved. Just their house. It became ridiculous she kept laying it. Her attorney said she’s just not very bright. She really should not be a judge.
I’ve had two separate local attorneys who are friends say essentially the same thing. She knows deep down that she isn’t truly smart enough to be qualified to serve as a Judge. And she takes out her resentment and frustration/anger out on those in her courtroom.
Stupid, like her father.
She has admitted she had substantial help during the judicial application process because she had no clue how to answer the legal questions from a conservative viewpoint. Ask her former office-share attorneys…
Why am in surprised but not shocked? Once again Kenosha county courts prove to be unstable.
Yup
Mayor McCheese 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Lol 😂
Bogdala definitely looks like he enjoys himself a few daily Big Macs.
Lmao
I died laughing at that part of the article 😂😂
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Too funny 😂😂
Who isn’t she sleeping with? I know of at least one cop she’s screwed.
👀
It seems we elected a small group of party girls to be our judges. **************************************
Hopefully not Kerkman
😂🤣
🤢🤮
Iverson
Shes nasty- another millennial who should avoid phones cameras and not seek them out. She lied about not knowing. Her smiles at her ex in the photos says it all…
That was a complete lie that Pat Andersen started spreading after she broke up with him. He was a Graveley ADA, a total drunk whose wife also left him, and he had no credibility left to stand on.
Not a lie at all. The photos were passed around the DAs office and lots of people saw them. Some even downloaded them when they “accidentally” got posted on the internet. Some people don’t think it’s a big deal to pose for nudes and others do. But if you are going to do it, don’t whine and lie when the truth comes out!
Yup
Isn’t it Gabrielle?
Angie’s got the bloat from drinking… explains why her clothes barely fit. That and she thinks she’s still in college at parkside
🤔😂😂😂
Cop must have been hard up
Lmao!
You know of One, so she’s screwing everyone?
👀
What a crook
Absolutely. Corruption at its finest.
Agreed. Spot on.
Yup! 💯
Women dont belong in ANY place of authority. Bring back the Bible and the constitution. Keep women in the home, where they belong, managing the most important thing. Family.
💯 agreed
Wow! Just keep them barefoot and pregnant.
Read the Bible and the Constitution first before typing out such nonsense.
Then we have people like … kAmala
Any place of authority is going a bit too far.
HOWEVER, the 19th amendment really, really needs to be revoked….just sayin’
Agreed my friend
Hahahaha pure ignorance
Only on your part.
You shouldn’t make any decisions because obviously you are delusional. It’s 2026 not 1926.
Kevin, I LOVE the fact that you used the most unflattering photos of her 😂
Lol
Every photo of her is unflattering.
lol
I know that’s the problem with photos. They are so accurate
I really don’t have many photos of her. I haven’t spent much time in her courtroom at all.
This whole damn town and legal community is corrupt down to its rotten core. Sad.
I’m sad to say I agree.
Me too unfortunately.
Her father Joe Meier was even more evil, corrupt, and hypocritical. Rotten apple doesn’t fall far from the rotten tree it appears.
I’ve heard the same.
So have I. They need to remove his disgraced name from the parkway they named after him out in Salem Lakes.
100% agreed!
How the hell does he have anything other than a dumpster named after him?!?
This whole town is corrupt and immoral. That’s why.
Agreed!
And, stupid.
Gotta love waking up this fine morning to read about yet ANOTHER story involving a corrupt elected official in this town. Sad.
My favorite way to wake up! Lol
😂🤣
Lol
Yet again Kevin is the only journalist covering this! Thank you Kevin!
People should send this article to the Judicial Commission, the Bar, and other news/media outlets.
Agreed.
Good idea! I will do so this morning!
They won’t do anything
I’m sad to say I worry the same….
People should send this article to the Judicial Commission, the Bar, and other news/media outlets.
Good idea!
I’m going to do that!
Me too
Me three! 😂
LMAO!
Sad but not surprising
Agreed
Yup
Wow
Impeach her ass and lock her up!!
Same with her boyfriend Bargain Billy!
Lmao
Yes please!
😂
Anyone who has had the unfortunate luck to face her in her courtroom (that she does’t deserve and never has) can attest to the fact that she is a horrible human being and treats everyone in her presence absolutely disgusting fashion.
I can concur
So can I unfortunately
Absolutely true. Sadist.
A so called devout Catholic? Please. Typical hypocrite.
Hopefully she goes to confession lol
🤣 lol
Yet another mistake/dumb decision by Scott Walker.
All these years later and his decisions are still hurting us!
Lol
How does she still hold her position? Wow!
She clearly slept with someone on the Judicial Commission.
Probably Scott Walker too just to get appointed
Lmao probably
🤮🤢
lol
It’s because this state enables corruption
Judge Rossell needs to remove her immediately!
Agreed
He won’t. He has no balls. Just as corrupt.
Yup
Sad to say I agree.
Me too unfortunately
He has no authority to do anything.
Jason is afraid of her. Literally afraid. She has bullied, threatened and intimidated him to the point he let her get away with murder while he was chief judge. He knew all the problems, complaints, and did nothing.
Moral of the story: Don’t piss off Kevin! lol
Lmao
🤣🤣😂😂
At least he’s covering it. Unlike the rag Kenosha News or any other media outlet.
🤣
Agreed
Oh I absolutely agree and applaud Kevin.
Despicable. Just despicable behavior and ethics by a despicable human being.
Agreed!
Yup!
💯
If she didn’t have despicable ethics she’d have no ethics at all
Lmao
🤣😂
Playing jeopardy during a murder trial? Unreal. What a joke and evil human being.
Right!?!
💯
Yup
Agreed!
Don’t forget about her “legendary” game of tag!
Lmao
Judge Schroeder was known for Jeopardy.
He was actually respectful and qualified to be on the Bench at least. Big difference.
Not in a murder trial
Between playing jeopardy to organizing that stupid juvenile joke of a game of “tag” a few years ago. What a joke.
I forgot about that. Wow!
Me too
It was rock paper scissors
Same thing/point
Ok Jodi whatever you say 😉
After your article last week I decided to check, have spent time watching this trial and have been disgusted by the judge’s behavior and tone. Shame on her and anyone that supports her.
100% agreed my friend!!
Dumb broad
Over 100 comments and it’s not even 7 am 🤣
The power of Kevin! Lol
Someone needs to run against her!!
Agreed! 🤞🤞
😮
Funny how your little friend is about to be facing sanctions from this particular judge, and all of a sudden a hit piece gets released in the middle of the night. Coincidence?
Hey Jodi
Fake news
I think you are talking about the district attorney? He’s not getting sanctions for not turning over confidential NCIC records of law enforcement officers. Want to bet?
I look forward to reading about this in the Kenosha News in a couple of weeks.
Yeah right!
Lol
😂
Good one
https://www.wjiinc.org/blog/judicial-complaints-a-one-man-show
Interesting
https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/committees/judicialcommission/complaintform.pdf
👀
https://wisgop.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PROTASIEWICZ-COMPLAINT-SIGNED.pdf
👀
https://reforminggovernment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Complaint-To-File.pdf
Thank you!
Done!
Smh
Its crazy how there’s all these articles of misconduct and corruption by judges, DAs, cops, and other officials but yet nothings ever done about it and they continue on in their positions of power.
Yup! Totally agree! This town enables corruption
💯
I’ve know Jodi for many years. She can be sweet, caring and sensitive. And she can be just the opposite which prompts one to pause and wonder if it’s the same person.
Hey Jodi 😉
Sounds like she’s bi-polar with a Jekyl and Hyde personality!! She needs to take her meds!! Hopefully after this article, anyone that ends up with a case before her, asks for a different judge due to her discriminatory behavior against everyone!!
Is there anyone at the courthouse who is qualified? Clearly not. The qualified ones get the hell out while they can! This lady clearly has issues she takes out on everyone around her. Not someone who needs to be a judge for sure!
💯
The answer to your question is a resounding NO!
I agree I’m afraid and sad to say
I can’t comment about Judge Meier from my personal experience. However, it should be noted that Judge Schroeder played a Jeopardy style game during jury selection for a murder in the city of Kenosha while the attorneys played “Let’s make a deal” in the back. I can’t remember if he tossed out candy or not. He also educated the potential jurors about the ceremonial courtroom and the renovations that were beginning. Personally, I was surprised about the Jeopardy styled game, but I found it refreshing to see a Judge actually feel bad for the potential jurors having to wait in boredom while the lawyers discussed their concerns.
Judge Schroeder was actually respectful and qualified to be on the Bench at least. Big difference.
Definitely agreed. They don’t make them like they used to. Miss Judge Schroeder.
Agreed. Me too.
🤦♂️🤦♂️
So she’s Catholic. Had to slip that in. This tells me what’s really going on.
Good morning to you Jodi 😉
She calls herself catholic, doesn’t make her one.
Again, sympathies to the Pfannkuche family. I am certain those writing here, agree with me.
Thank you. Good point.
Yikes 😬
Everyone should forward this article to the Judicial Commission and other news/media outlets!
Good idea.
Done!
Mayor McCheese? ROFLMAO!
I know right?!?! 🤣😂🤣😂
Are one of the anonymous Hans Koesser?
No. Although if she slept with him on his boat, it wouldn’t shock anyone.
Who was the city official? Sergeant Hardy Berg?
Anything for a fix
Probably Ted Kmiec, after all, she was in a photo with him!!
See was a complete See you next Tuesday during my court battle with my ex. If she hates men so much, she bought his bullsh7t hook line and sinker
So she was in a relationship with a corrupt official? Gary Roberts by chance? Can’t think of any other fat corrupt official unless the Mayor is cheating. All horizontally challenged scum.
i hope legally she is somehow charged
So our judges and DA all suck.
Good for criminals.
Bad for everyone else.
I wish someone would wipe that smug smirk off of her face! She looks as if she thinks she’s better than most. C you next Tuesday
Kevin you name names all the time. Come clean on the two people involved.
Is Ted Kmiec considered a city or county official? Or former? Or is he not involved in this article at all and just showing who she supports?
Kenosha has had some good judges but sadly they have all retired.
She is so evil and corrupt. Be careful of the church going individual like herself. She has a very evil side I know personally
Replying to Truth. In regards to Judge Schroeder playing jeopardy with jurors during a murder trial. I was a juror on one of his murder trials and I felt totally inept playing Jeopardy because I sucked at it. Always thought it showed the level of intellect of the jurors. BTW: He was found guilty of murder.
OK, let’s give a couple of points for Mayor McCheese. It is kind of funny.
You shouldn’t make any decisions because obviously you are delusional. It’s 2026 not 1926.
Greetings, my name is Donna Matthews I want to thank the gentleman you shared this post. It brought tears to my eyes. I have been praying for the last 10 yrs that she will be held accountable for her total bias, zero professionalism, the hate and lies that flow so easily from her lips. Jodi Meier and Angelina Gabriel destroyed me in a 11 day jury trial. To name only a few of their despicable behavior, conspiracy, abuse, lies without a pause, Brady violations I’ve been contacting everyone from so called paid defense team that obviously feared the wrath of Meier & Gabriel, because they sat and said nothing of importance. Denied all critical defense material evidence, denied all my police contacts made, denied were my defense witnesses to testify on their knowledge of MG, denied an obvious kill bag, A email that read he (abuser) if she tries to run away again there will be a rope and a 45, abusers own sister called me and the police stating MG told her he was going to kill me, absolutely everything denied. The jury heard only the professional criminals would allow them to hear nothing more. 1,000’s of emails, text, police reports, two restraining injunctions, 2 plus hrs with PSI reporter, not one single word that my abuser physically beat me, my so called defense attorneys and the court officials decided my entire trial would only be allowed physical abuse, I was called a LIAR over 200 times during trial, All corrupt, lying, professional criminals. If any Justice exists at all, both of these power hungry (Officials) should be fired! I was given LWOP And Meier says I’m never to leave prison, she ordered me and my brother not to see each other for 15 yrs. My trial was dehumanizing, abuse of power, cruelty, and hatred by the pros. And the Judge. Please keep the truth going all the way up!
Thank you and bless you.
I am Donnna Matthew’s niece and friend and mad supporter. To say the least this beautiful woman with so much life in her and left to live, has been seriously derailed by jenosha police, the DA and this awful judge who clearly is corrupt af. I’m trying to be professional but it’s hard when we r all swimning with sharks. This has to be stopped. 50 years old, a mom, never so much as a speeding ticket. And her life was taken and her brother kept from her. A grandson being raised without her. Please help Donna. She would help anyone. Please someone look into this. Thanks. I’ll be back
This judge should not be on the seat as a judge. I read the court documents on the Donna Mathews trial. I read how Dr. Hamusa, a doctor on battered women syndrome. I read how the judge denied him to testify on Donna’s case. He could only educate on battered women. If the testimony of Michael Gayens ex’s, Michaels sister messaging Donna that Michael wanted to kill her, pictures of a kill bag found in his house and many other facts would have been allowed in the courts, Donna would not be spending life in prison.
Judge Meier should be investigated and her judgements in her denying evidence in trials should be investigated. For a judge to deny evidence in a case is absolutely wrong when it involves people’s lives. How she ever got elected as a judge is beyond me. I read the case of Donna Mathews. I read the statements of his ex:s and his own son. Her case was a case of kill or be killed. Michael Gayen had severe mental problems that should have been addressed when restraining orders were filed against him. Yet he continually broke them. He threatened his ex’s and even his own son. He thought women were his possession. They weren’t allowed out of a relationship with him. His Mafia connection kept women in fear. His theme was one call, one shot, one kill.
Sad thing is Donna begged the Kenosha police for help but never got it. There are many messages to them that I read begging for help. Donna went to other organizations for help. If this man would have been arrested for all his threats to women and their families he would still be alive. Donna would not be in prison for life. Reading all the facts that were denied in her trial by this judge is sickening. They should retry some of these cases that this corrupt judge sentenced and allow all facts in.