KENOSHA, Wis. — Brian Sheffler (D), a Kenosha County courthouse employee and candidate for Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court, was recently photographed apparently sleeping at his desk after a courthouse employee observed him asleep for an extended period of time and snoring, according to courthouse sources who spoke with Kenosha County Eye.
Sheffler serves as Kenosha County’s Register in Probate and Juvenile Clerk. He formally registered his campaign for Clerk of Circuit Court on April 13, identifying himself as a Democratic candidate. His campaign finance paperwork identifies his committee as “Brian for Kenosha” and lists Sheffler as his own treasurer. Sheffler is running against former Kenosha County Board Supervisor Zach Rodriguez, a Republican, in the Nov. 3 general election.
KCE is told the employee who observed Sheffler sleeping took a photograph documenting what the employee witnessed. Sources say Kenosha County Human Resources subsequently began an internal investigation. KCE is also told that HR was already aware of several previous complaints about Sheffler allegedly sleeping while at work.
But courthouse sources say the investigation now appears to have shifted away from the underlying allegation that Sheffler was sleeping on the job and toward determining who photographed him and why.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
According to sources, county officials now know the photograph is genuine. KCE is told HR initially questioned whether the photograph was AI-generated, a suggestion courthouse insiders described as absurd. After determining the photograph was authentic, however, HR’s investigation did not end.
Instead, KCE is told HR personnel are contacting employees throughout the courthouse and questioning people in an apparent effort to identify the employee or employees responsible for taking and sharing the photograph.
That raises an obvious question: Why does Kenosha County appear to be devoting so much investigative attention to the person who documented alleged workplace misconduct rather than the alleged misconduct itself?
“Someone took a photo documenting what appears to be a serious workplace violation, and this isn’t the first time he’s allegedly been caught sleeping at work. But instead of focusing on the employee who was sleeping, Kerkman and Tappa have put the people who reported it in their crosshairs,” a courthouse insider told KCE. “Why are they investigating the people who reported the problem? What about the guy who was sleeping?”
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Sources familiar with the situation believe County Executive Samantha Kerkman is attempting to shield Sheffler, her referred candidate for Clerk of Courts, from discipline or a formal write-up while allowing Kenosha County Human Resources Director Clara-Lin Tappa to conduct what those sources characterize as another courthouse witch hunt.
Neither Kerkman nor Tappa responded to requests for comment from KCE.
Kenosha County’s employee handbook contains a firm prohibition against retaliation (whistleblowers), which should protect whichever employee or employees took the photograph documenting Sheffler’s alleged workplace conduct. The apparent effort to identify the person behind the camera raises serious questions about whether county officials are respecting those protections.
If a county employee believed another county employee was sleeping for an extended period while being paid by taxpayers, documenting that conduct and reporting it would seem to be precisely the type of activity for which an employee should not have to fear retaliation. An aggressive effort to identify the photographer could also have a chilling effect on other county employees who witness potential misconduct and consider reporting it.
A Familiar Pattern At Kenosha County HR
This would not be the first recent courthouse controversy in which Kenosha County HR appears to have turned its attention toward an employee who arguably should never have become the target of such an aggressive investigation.
Earlier this year, another courthouse employee was investigated over a digital photo frame she had openly kept on her desk for years. The employee used the device to display a rotating collection of photographs of her children. KCE is told she had used the digital photo frame openly for years and had never been told she could not have it at work.
The matter escalated beyond an ordinary personnel issue and was eventually referred to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department for a criminal investigation.
The sheriff’s investigation ultimately found no criminal conduct. The investigating detective concluded there was no evidence that private communications had been intercepted, no sensitive information had been transmitted or recorded and no intent to engage in criminal behavior.
The investigation also established that the Intake Court proceedings occurring at the relevant time were open to the public. The detective reviewed the court calendar, determined none of the hearings were closed and noted that members of the public were sitting in the gallery.
Despite the results of the criminal investigation, the employee was fired.
She subsequently applied for unemployment insurance benefits, which Kenosha County opposed. The employee was initially denied benefits, appealed the determination and ultimately won her unemployment appeal.
KCE is also told another courthouse employee had the same type of digital photo frame but was not punished and quickly removed it after the first employee was fired.
Now HR appears to be conducting another wide-ranging courthouse investigation, only this time the employee under scrutiny appears to be the person who documented somebody else’s alleged workplace misconduct.
Rather than simply determining whether Sheffler was sleeping at work and deciding whether discipline was warranted, sources say HR personnel are attempting to determine who took the photograph and are contacting employees throughout the courthouse as part of that effort.
The common thread is Kenosha County HR turning what could have been relatively straightforward personnel matters into sprawling investigations focused on courthouse employees who sources believe should not have been targeted in the first place.
There is, however, a significant difference in the treatment of Sheffler himself. In the earlier case, a courthouse employee was ultimately fired over a digital photo frame after years of open use and despite a subsequent criminal investigation finding no criminal intent. In the current case, sources believe county leadership is attempting to protect Sheffler from being formally disciplined after he was reportedly photographed sleeping at his desk.
Candidate For Clerk Of Circuit Court
The allegations surrounding Sheffler carry additional public significance because he is asking Kenosha County voters to elect him Clerk of Circuit Court.
For voters, an allegation that a candidate seeking to oversee the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office was sleeping at his desk during the workday is a legitimate matter of public concern. How county leadership responds to that allegation, and whether employees who document potential workplace misconduct instead find themselves subjected to an aggressive HR investigation, is also a matter of public concern.
KCE is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the photograph, the scope of the HR investigation and whether Sheffler will face any discipline.
52 Responses
I don’t think it’s fair to characterize this man as sleeping at his desk when he was obviously spending time in reflection and prayer.
Go Zak!
Fuck HR. Especially City and County HR. They are probably gunning for some one because they want the a position to open up so they can hire a niece or cousin or some shit like that.
Wow, instead of punishing this employee for sleeping on the job, they go after the whistle blower exposing him! Not only do we have a terrible court system in Kenosha now it’s evident the people in charge of the courts don’t do their job correctly either!
No they do not do their jobs correctly, they do what they want and there are no questions asked. Pay attention voters, it appears he will be no different than the people in charge now!
Hunt the employee that took the photo that’s a real problem solver, a true signature of an ultra toxic workplace. How on earth does a workplace exist like this in 2026.
Clara is a cancer to the county!! Sam is just a dumb blonde who only cares about having her photo taken! Both need to go!!
Kevin, would you or another person with extensive knowledge of Kenosha County politics be able to provide insight as to why Kerkman ran unopposed in the last election? I’m just wondering because she seems to be an unpopular county executive.
I saw a comment on here, quite awhile ago, that essentially said that RPKC didn’t think it was a good idea to primary a sitting Republican. I can see how it wouldn’t be a good idea to have MULTIPLE (R)s primary’ing her— like the sheriff primary. But, they just handed the seat back to her. The democrats didn’t run anyone against her because she lines up with them better than she does the right.
I would like to hope that, that decision is what cost Sandy her run at the Senate seat that Ellen will hopefully win.
I’ve also seen comments from someone who claims to have been working on a run, but when they found out the true state of the county, they didn’t want to be stuck with the mess that Sam has created. My bet is that this is probably a more truthful statement.
I saw that too. I think it was Ken Wolfe who said they didn’t want to primary her.
Obviously he is over worked and could use a extra week of paid vacation. Maybe he’s bored and needs the challenge of being Clerk of Courts to liven himself up.
He’s just doing what democrat voters will allow.
This should put him over the top in November with democrat voters.
He’s doing a Sleepy Joe Biden imitation.
Dude is rocking about 400, probably has killer sleep apnea.
This photo should have been sold to his opponent.
Definitely free now to use.
Clara is a disaster. Sam, also a disaster. Meanwhile, *GOD* division and department heads cannot truly manage their departments because Sam is a micromanager who isn’t good enough at anything to have a real job, and if they dare to cross her, they get resigned.
But— according to Laura Belsky, there’s no problem with the policy of serving “at her pleasure” because no one has been “fired.”
Clara needs to go. Look at employee satisfaction, look at turnover rates, look at what happens to the taxpayers when good employees cannot be recruited or retained.
Sam needs to be recalled. Maybe Sandy could actually do something productive and recruit a candidate and organize a recall effort.
Dude is huge. He’s probably got killer sleep apnea.
A lighter lunch should do the trick buddy
Brian Sheffler (D)
Kevin, is it necessary to put their medical conditions next to their names? We can see he is diabetic.
As good as he looks doing what he does best, I’m hoping AI can get rid of another useless eater in Govmt..
You should look into his employee file at Pleasant Prairie.
Why bother. He already left the swamp.
Hey, Clara… 🖕and HR.
Clara appears to think she is very important. She was the same way when she was at Knews.
Because Clara has been given absolute, unchecked power. She can override and/or ignore written policy, and no one would dare to challenge her, because that will result in termination.
It’s not her importance, because she could be replaced in a heartbeat. The county employs several HR professionals who are more intelligent, capable, and qualified than Clara— the county has also lost several… because of Clara.
Was that before or after she ran it into the ground. Now she is doing the same to kenosha county. She thinks she is so important at the top and looks down on everyone beneath her. Won’t give employees fair wages, while she gets top pay for herself!
C.an’t U.nderstand N.ormal T.hinking
He must have took notes from Donald Trump!!
Isn’t it illegal to go after whistleblowers?
Sam, each day that gies by makes you look smaller and smaller.
You should not be proud at all. You embarrass your kids.
Dam good journalism right there Kevin!! What a dam shame there hunting for the camera man!!.What a rotten bunch of crooks!!!.Im sure there going to eventually somehow find out who did it..I image there going to make that persons life miserable.
We’re screwed with either one of these candidates.
Agree with the comment about getting the pleasant prairie file. I’ve heard of harassment type behavior that made employees uncomfortable (including sexual innuendo comments) and I’ve also heard it still happens in Kenosha.
This is when he is most affective on the job
I believe the Register in Probate is appointed by the judges. They are the ones who should be dealing with the situation.
I think everyone needs to just leave this person alone.
You can spot someone in their 3rd trimester. Swollen feet. Tired all the time 😗
I mean come on what more needs to happen Clara needs to go the county is in turmoil from top to bottom in every department it’s time for a change
A lot of that would clear up if Clara was gone, and the resolution forcing the “heads” to bend to Sam’s will… er, I mean, the resolution that has directors and department heads fearing for their jobs— no, wait, the resolution that has division and department heads serving at “her pleasure,” yea, that one— if that were reversed, and the qualified individuals were allowed to run their departments.
Shit-can Clara.
Reverse the resolution.
Watch things clear up.
Ridiculous! If HR can be so blatantly screwed up I suggest the picture taker get an attorney. The employee that was let go because of a picture frame should also get an attorney. I don’t know much about Clara but what I have heard explains why I would never apply. As far as Sam Kerkman goes I have heard the Democrats made a deal with her so they didn’t put an opponent up. No info as to why RPKC didn’t seek an opponent, I voted for Donald Duck! Sam is straight up embarrassing!
I know a guy that slept under his desk
Big Stein is getting upset!
Why would having a digital picture frame even warrant a criminal investigation?
Mr. Sheffler is a very competent and reaponsive professional.
Your a dick.
Careful with those comments, Eric —before you know it, Wacky Jacquie will be staking out you and your wife with her camera
I’m guessing Samantha is related to Randy out here in Bristol? We REALLY need to clean house.
No. Kerman isn’t her maiden name…
My name is William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel the Turd. I don’t know whom to endorse. Keep in mind that either of them would always be much better than me.
My name is William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel the Turd. I don’t know whom to endorse. Keep in mind that either of them would always be much better than me.
My name is William “Bargain Bail Billy” M. the Turd. I don’t know whom to endorse for this one. Keep in mind that either of them would always be much better than me.
To avoid further incidents, HR Has put in for a couch and a door lock for his office.
Oh boy
This case and the prior one cited are completely normal bureaucratic reactions. The photo is a direct attack against the system’s officialdom and the person that took it is a threat that must be fired to protect the public’s perception of their “integrity”. Hopefully, Eye’s exposure will result in the Democrat’s defeat; however, don’t count on it. A sufficient mass of likely Kenosha voters are dye-cast D cultists and anti-Eye. Very notable that Kerkman, a D elected posing as an R, supports the asleep-at-the-wheel fat gut D, illustrating the pollution of the Kenosha County R-Party by infiltrating D’s.