KENOSHA, Wis. — Brian Sheffler (D), a Kenosha County courthouse employee currently running for Clerk of Circuit Courts, has been the subject of repeated sexual harassment and inappropriate-conduct allegations from women who worked with him, according to interviews conducted by Kenosha County Eye. Employment records obtained by KCE show that while Sheffler worked as Clerk of Municipal Court for the Village of Pleasant Prairie, he was given written sexual-harassment-related workplace guidance in 2017. Years later, after becoming a Kenosha County courthouse employee, Sheffler was required to complete county non-harassment training that specifically included sexual harassment and take a post-test in January 2020.
At least six women who have worked inside the Kenosha County Courthouse have described Sheffler’s behavior to KCE or to a courthouse source interviewed by KCE as creepy, inappropriate or sexually uncomfortable. Allegations include Sheffler staring at women’s breasts, positioning himself partially on women’s desks while speaking with them and engaging in other behavior that made female employees uncomfortable.
The women have asked KCE not to identify them publicly. One former courthouse employee told KCE that Sheffler’s reputation among female courthouse employees is widespread. Asked whether his alleged inappropriate behavior was common knowledge, the former employee responded, “100%. Yes. 100%.”
One woman allegedly became so frustrated with Sheffler’s behavior that she got up from her workstation and began walking toward Human Resources to complain. A source said Clerk of Circuit Court Rebecca Matoska-Mentink encountered the woman and asked where she was going. When the employee said she was going to HR, after speaking to her supervisor, Matoska-Mentink reportedly offered to accompany her. The two then went to Human Resources, according to the source. KCE knows the employee’s identity but is withholding it.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
County Says Complaint And Investigation Records Don’t Exist
KCE submitted a public records request seeking Sheffler’s disciplinary records and records involving sexual-harassment training, complaints, investigations, findings, witness statements and determinations.
Kenosha County Human Resources Director Clara-Lin Tappa said her office searched Sheffler’s personnel file and located only one responsive document: a Kenosha County “Non-Harassment Policy Training Post-Test,” which she specifically acknowledged included sexual harassment.
Regarding records of discipline, complaints or investigations involving Sheffler, Tappa said HR found none. She again reviewed Sheffler’s file after KCE followed up and said there were no additional responsive records.
That response is difficult to reconcile with accounts provided to KCE, including the allegation that a female employee personally went to HR with Matoska-Mentink.
Sheffler Required To Complete Training In 2020
The document released by Kenosha County is titled “In This Together: Our Non-Harassment Policy Training Post-Test.” Sheffler’s name is handwritten across the top and the document is dated Jan. 20, 2020.
The county redacted all 10 questions and Sheffler’s answers, but Tappa acknowledged the training included sexual harassment.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Courthouse sources tell KCE that concerns about Sheffler’s conduct had reached Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jason Rossell, who was serving as chief judge at the time. Sources allege Matoska-Mentink had not adequately addressed concerns about Sheffler and that Rossell’s involvement resulted in Sheffler being required to undergo the training.
KCE asked Rossell about the incident. Rossell said he “doesn’t recall” it.
“There’s no way Rossell doesn’t remember that,” a former courthouse insider familiar with the circumstances told KCE. KCE believes that Rossell lied. Brian is his preferred candidate.
The training document establishes that Sheffler completed the non-harassment post-test on Jan. 20, 2020, but it does not identify what prompted the training or state that Rossell ordered it.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Earlier Sexual-Harassment Guidance In Pleasant Prairie
Before working for Kenosha County, Sheffler served as Clerk of Municipal Court for the Village of Pleasant Prairie.
On Nov. 15, 2017, Pleasant Prairie Municipal Judge Richard Alan Ginkowski sent Sheffler a memorandum specifically addressing sexual harassment and workplace conduct.
Ginkowski wrote that someone would have to be “living under a rock” not to be aware of the issue of sexual harassment and said such conduct “should not be tolerated or ignored.” He specifically directed Sheffler and the other employee to Pleasant Prairie’s anti-sexual-harassment policy.
The memorandum also addressed appropriate workplace behavior, including comments, remarks, gestures, intimidation and conduct that could be inappropriate depending upon the circumstances.
Pleasant Prairie told KCE it located no responsive disciplinary records, complaints, investigations or sexual-harassment allegations involving Sheffler. The 2017 memo itself does not accuse Sheffler of sexual harassment or explain why it was issued.
The records therefore document two separate episodes at two government employers: sexual-harassment-related workplace guidance while Sheffler was Pleasant Prairie Municipal Court Clerk in 2017, followed by Kenosha County non-harassment training inclusive of sexual harassment and a post-test in 2020.
Women Describe Uncomfortable Encounters
One woman told a source interviewed by KCE that Sheffler made her extremely uncomfortable by partially sitting on her desk while talking to her and appearing to stare at her breasts. The source said the woman shifted her body because of the way Sheffler was allegedly looking at her and stopped engaging with him until he eventually walked away.
Other women have characterized Sheffler’s behavior as creepy or inappropriate. A former courthouse employee told KCE that at least a half-dozen women had discussed or experienced concerning behavior involving Sheffler.
Despite those accounts, Kenosha County HR maintains that it can locate no responsive records documenting complaints or investigations involving Sheffler.
Sheffler Running For Clerk Of Courts
Sheffler is seeking to succeed retiring Clerk of Circuit Court Rebecca Matoska-Mentink in the Nov. 3 general election. Kenosha County election records list Sheffler and Zach Rodriguez as candidates for the office.
Sheffler faces Zach Rodriguez (R), a longtime former Kenosha County Board supervisor and corporate executive.
KCE has been told by courthouse sources that County Executive Samantha Kerkman (R) and Tappa favor Sheffler’s candidacy. Those assertions are based on sources’ accounts; the records reviewed by KCE do not independently establish either official’s electoral preference.
Sheffler is also currently the subject of a separate internal Kenosha County investigation after he was photographed apparently sleeping at his courthouse desk. Courthouse insiders allege sleeping at work has been an ongoing issue involving Sheffler.
Sheffler has reportedly told others that he was on his lunch break when the photograph was taken. Courthouse insiders dispute that account and say Matoska-Mentink strictly requires employees who are on lunch to prominently display a sign indicating they are on break. Sources say Sheffler had no such sign displayed.
KCE previously reported that Human Resources initially questioned whether the sleeping photograph was AI-generated before determining it was genuine. The county’s investigation then expanded to determining who took and distributed the photograph.
The sleeping investigation remains ongoing. KCE reached out to Brian when we requested her personnel file and he didn’t respond.
38 Responses
It’s time for a change, Kenosha County! Wake up voters! Experience does not matter don’t believe the sign! What matters is how you treat people on a daily basis anyone can learn the job!
Fatty’s gotta eat
I still see plenty of Sheffler signs around town so evidently no one cares if he’s lazy, incompetent or offensive. He only has to be a democrat to earn votes from low information voters.
If he loses , he’s perfect for KUSD ! They love lazy perverts !
The lazy fat ass has the local Democrat network circling the wagon fully behind him as he is their loyal crony. Very late-Soviet power dynamic.
Why is he so protected? Sleeping and now sexual harassment? So gross! Why is HR not doing anything about all of these issues? Seems like HR is turning their back on everything relating to this guy. How many other things have they turned their back on? And this person is running for Clerk of Court? No thank you! Wake up voters!!!
Now a history of sexual harassment? ZERO respect for women! No thank you, he will NOT get my vote.
Was this before or after George Easton was cheating on his wife with prostitutes?
That’s Democrats for ya! They cover everything up and stick together like flies on shit!!
Maybe I am too old fashioned but it seems like government employees can’t go to work and remain focused on the reason that they are there? If you are a horny pervert maybe try going to a tavern and practicing your skills, you may get lucky or you may get bitch slapped.
Funny how Ginkowski said that sexual harassment would not be tolerated, yet he initiated an inappropriate conversation with a pregnant female police officer about his sexual fetishes with pregnant women. The female officer expressed her discomfort with Ginkowski’s behavior to Chief Smetana who quickly squashed the complaint.
Smetana is a dick.
What’s new?
Clara Tappa, Samantha Kerkman why is this guy not held accountable for anything? A history of sexual harassment, napping and you are a supervisor and running for clerk courts? What else is there? He’s an embarrassment. As a Kenosha resident it’s time to vote right and take out the trash! Zach Rodriguez for Clerk of Court!
Is Clar-Lin Tappa really just T. Claire Binger in drag ? ?
I can’t even look at his picture in this article, it just so upsetting that a person would belittle women. It is disgusting. He is gross. How many women didn’t say anything because they were afraid? How many did and nothing was done? And he gets a little class as a punishment? It is my time to speak as a woman with my vote. No womanizer’s allowed.
Go Zach! We need a person with morals as clerk of court!!!!!!
Ask anyone who worked at Kenosha News what they thought of Clara-Lin Tappa? Bet you won’t find anyone that liked her or trusted her.
What was her job at the Kenosha News ? How does one go from working at a dieing newspaper, to being the director of Human resources for Kenosha County ? This rat who jumped off of a sinking ship has done quite well for herself.
Clue me in .
The shear lack of comments to this story show the complete disgust in the county’s Human Resources office and its refusal to deal with obvious workplace violations that are mentioned here.
Just what is it about this person that makes him untouchable and such a great candidate for office ?
We can only hope that he doesn’t prevail in November. But if he does it’s our own fault.
We need to show up in November and in droves.
Remember, you lose your right to complain if you don’t vote
Is Rebecca Matoska-Mentink a straight cunt to everyone, or am I the only one who brings it out in her? Very rude and unprofessional, good riddance. Need to clean the entire house, inept clowns at the clerks office.
You are not the only one, I’m a victim of hers and she was a straight cunt to me. Yep, victim. She’s the reason for the revolving door there. Such a nasty and vile person. She is so retaliatory. She must be miserable with herself and her life so she is a cunt to everyone around her.
Yes
Kenosha County is run by a pack of immeshed sickos.
What is going on at Kenosha county? You have a lieutenant under investigation for sexual harassment, you have a candidate for clerk of courts with a history of sexual harassment. I absolutely can’t with this, it is sickening
Chain of command——Ultimately who is responsible for how Kenosha County conducts business?
Sam I am Kerkman
Sheffler looks like Rusty Traller, one of Holly Golightly’s clients in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Some clerks had the courage to report the sexual harassment. Others in similar situation accepted a promotion in exchange for their silence. Isn’t that right, Patty?
Thank you for commenting this!!! So true! There are a lot of on the down low things that happen at the courthouse. A promotion in exchange for their silence. Isn’t that right, Patty?
Isn’t that right Patty? A promotion for silence? And some were intercepted on their way to HR and belittled by the warden herself
Patty, you spoke openly with all of us about Brian’s harassment while you were still clerking in Branch 7, before Meier removed you for issuing court papers without her knowledge. Instead of being terminated, you were transferred to Br5. Now that you’ve been promoted, you’ve stayed silent. Shame on you.
Patty drank from the koolaid. She could care less about anyone there but herself
She’s buddies with the warden, fake af and nasty to most of the JA’s. She took a promotion and zipped up about the harassment by a supervisor.
Lack of morals Patty
Well, she betrayed Brian by blabbing about him all over the place. She had also betrayed the judge she’d clerked for. Zack, you know who you can’t trust once you take office.
Interview some of the Pleasant Prairie dispatchers about how he used to hang out in the dispatch center acting like a perverted creep. Maybe don’t interview the pedophile Brian Gildenstalker though. He was just as bad and they kept him around until his wife finally reported the child porn he was creating with his step daughter. Pleasant Prairie is the capital of coverups. Now Sheffler is the county’s problem.
Let’s see the woke feminazi’s try to do the mental gymnastics on this one
I’m just here for the fat guy jokes.
Odd for a gay guy
Dems are giving Sheffler the Bill Clinton treatment.
As Sgt. Schultz said, “I see Nothing!”