(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Salem Lakes Village Administrator Mike Murdock has been placed on administrative leave as of Thursday, July 13, 2023. Kenosha County Eye obtained records via a public records request that confirm that the Village Board voted to hire two law firms, von Briesen & Roper and Municipal Law and Litigation Group. According to documents obtained by KCE, von Briesen & Roper lawyers will be investigating not only the Village’s Administrator, but the Village’s Fire Department. Special Legal Counsel Municipal Law and Litigation Group will be utilized to guide the Village Board, which has four new members, with general legal questions about the Fire Department and Administrator. According to a statement that is believed to be written by the Village’s new legal team, “The Village Board of Trustees believes these actions were necessary in order to act for the good order and well-being of the Village’s residents and will not be commenting further…”
KCE was alerted to questionable conduct about Murdock late last year and collected hundreds of pages of records dealing with his questionable management style and behavior. Murdock was allegedly caught creating a “hit list” of business to “shut down.” He would frequently use profanity in emails, attacking residents and businesses. He was accused of weaponizing the Fire Department to attack his enemies. Now, on the heels of an election that replaced almost the entire Village Board, Salem Lakes Village Administrator Mike Murdock saw the writing on the wall. He thinks he will soon be in the unemployment line. At least, that’s what he seemingly told his attorney. About six weeks after the new board was sworn in, Murdock hired an attorney to address his employment. This was also only a few weeks after the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office concluded a criminal investigation into allegations of corruption under Murdock’s administration. Walworth DA Zeke Wiedenfeld (D) said there wasn’t enough evidence for a conviction, but the investigators note some “off” practices in the Village.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Eye had received push-back from Murdock during our inquiry into his behavior. KCE Editor Kevin Mathewson had to sue Murdock when he refused to release records that pointed to a mass exodus in the Village’s Fire Department. Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce E. Schroeder ordered Murdock to turn over the records to KCE. KCE then learned that almost three dozen fire-fighters have left the department recently, who’s second highest member was Murdock himself. Murdock did resign his position as Battalion Chief of the department just before our lawsuit. KCE learned why Murdock seemed to have a pre-existing animus towards KCE. Murdock’s daughter is married to Evan Quirk, a Kenosha mailman who stole, and allegedly sniffed used panties from a mailbox during his mail carrier route. Murdock seemed to be upset that we reported on “used panty-gate.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KCE has learned that staff at the Fire Department started leaving soon after Chief James Lejcar began his tenure as Chief. The investigation, according to the documents, will also include that Lejcar and his subordinates, including fire inspector Steve Ptaszynski. Ptaszynski, according to several business owners, flexed his authority as fire inspector and used his vast authority to attack businesses. KCE attempted to interview Ptaszynski after a recent meeting. He not only declined an interview, but called the Sheriff’s Department and asked them to arrest me for “disorderly conduct”. The Deputies declined.
Murdock hired the same attorneys, West and Dunn, that former trustee Mike Culat hired to sue KCE. In a letter sent to the Salem Lakes village board dated May 30, 2023, seemingly threatening a lawsuit if the board removed Murdock, the attorney makes mention of Murdock’s “employment agreement.” KCE was told, in response to a public records request, that there is not currently, and never was an employment contract for Murdock. We don’t know how his lawyer got this wrong – he won’t tell us. Murdock also won’t talk to us. The letter also says that the new board and president is making “unreasonable” expectations of Murdock. A Village insider says that Murdock wants a raise from his current $140,617.29 salary to do any “new duties.” When KCE sued Murdock, he said, under oath “I do not have a strong interest on who sits on the board of the Village of Salem Lakes.” It seems, however, that he does. The Village recently had a closed-session meeting to discuss the potentially imminent lawsuit.
Salem Lakes Public Works Director Paul Snellen
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Investigation
According to the police report obtained by KCE, Murdock did a lot of things that the previous Village President says she was unaware of. Former Trustee Mike Culat, who is suing KCE, was alleged to have used a village skid steer on his property. A village employee told Walworth County Sheriff’s Detectives that the skid steer was missing from the shop for about two months. This same employee said that when it was returned, it was in a worse condition, with sticks covering it and the bucket had rust on it. This employee asked Public Works Director Paul Snellen where the skid steer was, because it was needed for village jobs. Snellen told him he didn’t know where it was. The skid steer was also missing the fuel key ring. The employee asked Snellen where the fuel key was and Snellen said “I don’t know what you’re talking about” and looked like he “saw a ghost.” Culat denies using the skid steer for personal use. There is some evidence, however, that he used some major equipment to clear a path in his backyard, during the approximate time he had the expensive village equipment. Satellite imagery is shown below.
Investigators later learned from Murdock that Snellen had indeed brought the skidsteer to Culat’s house. This means that Snellen had lied to the employee whistleblower. But why? There was also an allegation that Paul Snellen towed the Village’s man lift on a Saturday away from the Village’s property and returned without it. The whistleblower asked Snellen where he brought the lift and Snellen replied “I don’t know.” The whistleblower believes it was towed to Culat’s house for him to use to trim trees. The whistleblower then told investigators that Snellen and Murdock would allow Village employees to use tools, equipment and some facilities for personal use. Murdock got mad at one point and revoked the privileges for a couple of years, but started up again.
Murdock and Snellen both admitted to investigators that they store their own personal property at Village facilities and allow other employees to do the same. Investigators believed that the former Village President was unaware of this perk for employees. Murdock also admitted to investigators that he allowed a business owner he knows to store inventory in a Village building for free. This was also unknown by the previous president. Village staff were asked to clear out a storage container on village property. Snellen then stored his personal items in the trailer, like deer mounts. Murdock gave Snellen permission – the previous village president said she was unaware of this.
Menard’s 11% rebates were also asked about. Murdock and the previous Village President said they had a policy that handled the rebates. KCE is told by insiders that there is no such policy.
Many people who installed the new board – by a 2 to 1 margin, believe that Murdock is responsible for the Village’s decline. They want Murdock gone. One resident, who owns a business in Salem Lakes and lives here, told KCE that “It’s a mandate to get rid of Murdock. These new candidates promised change, and change starts at the top. Murdock needs to go. There can be no change if he sticks around. Thank you for your service, but your time is up, now you want to sue the taxpayers? You’re a joke, Mike.”
Village Board officials declined comment as the investigation is ongoing.
60 Responses
Lord, Lord.
It’s catching up, finally.
Pretty sure they let him go. Who is next.
To paraphrase from above
Thank you for your service but it’s time to go
Power tends to corrupt.
Absolute power corrupts Absolutely.
Time is up, no more games. The residents deserve a Government that works for Salem Lakes. Maybe Mikes best friend can plan his next move, I’m sure the next move will even be more idiotic then the last. Good Luck?
Hopefully this leads to new policies that will prevent this abuse and the excessive over reach from happening again in the future. The Administrator tried to control the board with his legal threats, how’s that working out. ??
New policies ??
Using governmental equipment for personal use ? Storage ??
This isn’t your boss letting you borrow a tool over the weekend.
This is wrong from the get go !
Just asking (or demanding) to do any of these things is wrong. And the people asking and/or getting these “favors “ know it when they do it.
That’s two wrongs !!
This is allegedly how a career employee took advantage of a part-time board. To think you could put your personal property and others in village buildings with no fear of being caught says it all. If proven true through this investigation the village should get storage fees from these morons at a minimum, and some interest and penalties. If true, Mr. Murdock should pay for anyone he gave permission to store their personal stuff on the village property, did he benefit from this activity? If he can’t pay then maybe Tesar should, that was her right-hand man. Then, if the rumors are correct, he wanted more money for doing his job. Get me the Barf bucket.
It’s still happening. Maybe someone should check every building the village owns. Including the ones across the street from the hwy dept. the sooner paul and Brad are gone too the better the village will operate.
Panty sniffer linked to a Murdock? Still married? Father Murdock okay with this? Wow, hits on Mike from all over the place. Sleep must be hard!
Still don’t know why stealing mail isn’t a felony with a prison sentence !!
The judge said the value was under $50.
Doesn’t Matter what the perceived value is or was. The post office is Federal !!
Woah come on….the panty sniffer is married to his daughter? You can’t make this shit up…..
Must make him feel so proud.
This is why there should be term limits. This is reflective on Tesar, where the buck should have stopped. She still might be caught up in it still – rightly so! She closed her eyes and Mike and Jim knew she would do nothing even if she caught sight of a little bit. So much for her dedication.
A significant question is why was he hired in the first place? Weren’t there any professional municipal management specialists available?
Just like with the fire chief, the administrator was appointed without a hiring process or qualification review. Look up James Lejcar on the Wisconsin state fire certification lookup and compare to the posted job requirements of a chief. Hiring unqualified buddies leads to this. Tesar and her husband are close personal friends of Murdock.
Murdock and Culat are neighbors, and very good friends.
Looks like the new board members are doing thier jobs
The cover up is always worse than the crime. They (King Murdock and Lejcar the life safety Czar) continue to abuse their power and tell private business owners, job creators, and risk takers what they can NOT do and what’s best for their businesses, employees, and customers. Easy to do when you have never signed the front of a paycheck in your life. The “Hit list” is real and retribution has escalated to the next level. Using “life safety” as an excuse, a weapon to cause financial hardship to hardworking business owners has gone on too long. Relationships are the backbone of small businesses and communities. They thought they’re scare tactics and making shit up to fit their narrative and their own interests would never be challenged. Thank you to the voters who elected (landslide victory) a new board with guts and common sense. Thank you to the new board for standing up to these crooks and doing what’s right for the taxpayers and businesses. Follow the money, all in the name of ISO rating = bond rates, insurance, interest rates in order to borrow, borrow, and spend our money on growing the government. More fire stations, more incompetent and unqualified “leaders” who are protected from accountability and who’s goal is only to grow their budget in the farce of “Life Safety”… personal responsibility and protecting yourself and your family is NOT the job or the RIGHT of this punch drunk fire department and administrator. We are very capable of making better decisions and living our own lives, free from the WORST CASE SCENARIO WORLD of the unqualified inspector and almighty God himself chief “life safety Czar”. Grandfather died in the fire, maybe in your sick twisted dictatorship but not here in Wisconsin. Take your failed bullshit policies, corruption, and bankrupt ideology back to Illinois where it belongs. Mayberry was fine until you arrogant ass clowns decided to tell businesses and taxpayers to OBEY. Private sector is always going to keep you in check. Try creating a job, put your livelihood on the bottom of a loan, treat people with respect, sorry you don’t have to nor did you think anyone would have the balls to fight back for what is right! Karma is a bitch
Thanks to the handful of business owners who had enough of this government abuse who fought back and got the snowball rolling down hill on these self serving people.
??????
You give too much credit. Lejcar couldn’t spell ISO, let alone figure out how to improve the rating. One of the biggest rating impacts is on fire certifications and training, of which he has almost none. Lejcar couldn’t cite a fire code or interpret one to save his life. No experience, no certification, no training, no abilities to lead. All of which are compensated for by getting angry and flexing power, out of fear of being found out. He should be placed on leave before firefighters get hurt.
150 likes!
Snellen has always been a lying weasel. Ask any of his former coworkers.
Ain’t that the truth!!
I think Snellen is going to have some spot lights on him, very soon.??
Snellen Protector is not around now, Yikes. Better start protecting your ass, the clock is ticking. The future is not bright and you will need to wear shades, Spotlight time.
Snellen has always been mikes puppet. And another unqualified individual that was put into a management role for no other reason than he would do whatever Mike said and wanted. maybe someone should ask about Paul mowing areas behind the treatment plant for hunting. No one else was allowed back there. Him and mike would hunt the area and Paul would spend hours mowing certain trails to hunt deer in the fall.
doesn’t the treatment plant south end property back up to culats?
He doesn’t even live in Wisconsin if I’m not mistaken. That’s something they should look into. The spotlight should be on him , he’s not a Wisconsin resident.
How so? Im not saying you’re wrong but I’m genuinely curious. I’m ready or was ready to do business with him and know him. Should I run? I have witnessed drinking occasionally and womanizer. But not my place. Think I’ll go elsewhere
How so? Just genuinely curious. We were going to do business together but after reading this I think I’ll run the other way.. I’ve witnessed occasional drinking and lollygagging and womanizing. But never this . Guess you learn something every day. Thanks.
Does anyone not know that Snellen does NOT even reside in Wisconsin? Someone needs to definitely look into that!
Like I always say,once a panty sniffer always a panty sniffer. How does Steinbrink fit into this puzzle?
At least Steinbrink was competent.
How did he get used panties? I don’t understand the allegation
He is a mailman and stole them from the outgoing mail of a woman who sold them on the Internet
Lord Jesus. Who did this? This is too much.
Should have just bought the panties online using his credit card and dealt with the wife finding out. Instead he stole them and look what happened !
Common sense is becoming a rarer commodity in these next generations.
I blame the parents !
And their parents before them.
God help us for these are the potential leaders of the future. Just glad I’ll be dead by that time.
In the past fews days Chief James Lejcar has been going around telling employees of the fire department to keep their mouths shut and that they are prohibited to speak to any investigators. Lejcar states “that’s my job” “you send them to me”. What about freedom of speech? Employee rights? What about the fact that none of Lejcar employees want him as a leader? Steve P is just as bad, ask him about the dishwasher at station 1, better yet ask the full time crew about it, they’ll actually get you the truth. Someone is going to either get hurt or killed at Salem lakes Fire/Rescue. No training, no leadership, no accountability, NO STAFF, and piss poor attitudes. Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue will hire just about anyone, are you breathing? Yup! You’re hired!
Is Lecar teamed up with Culat and Murdock with these attorneys from Baraboo Wi. I wonder if these Attorneys are just a front for Maybe another attorney close to this past board. Makes you wonder, Baraboo, WI. WTF
When this internal investigation starts Lecar should worry about himself and not others. I think telling others to obstruct is probably not his best move if true. Bucking the system seems to have worked well for Murdock. Between his Attorneys and best friend it seems he headed in the right direction.
Who do YOU think is his best friend? There are several who could fit…..share to the pres in PM.
This behavior is witness intimidation and is so telling about Lejcar and his crony Steve P.
Share more about this fire. The new board might want to know specifics and the old members hoping for fail mite learn they are backing the wrong horse, Fire commision included. Details. Details. Details. Especially now with the Fire review in progress. Owner insurance mite want to know of delay as well.
Board members? Are you seeing this?
That’s where the problems are. In Salem, whistleblowers are harassed, intimidated and lose their jobs for reporting things that go on. The board needs to speak to employees individually or in small groups where they don’t have to fear these people.
The board should also speak to former employees. The things they would find out would make their heads spin.
Let’s talk about the fire last night! Wow embarrassing! First off you have someone driving the engine who doesn’t know how to pump! And they drove passed the neighborhood! Every second counts and they wasted a lot. Let’s talk about his command abilities, holy shit! My dog could have done better. Micromanaging as always. How about you stop walking around taking pictures and worry about keeping your job! Oh wait, too late.
He has hired a very questionable group of full timers. Some are good, but some are not going to help this place get better. Cocky and toxic- sounds like the leadership.
Share more about this fire. The new board might want to know specifics and the old members hoping for fail mite learn they are backing the wrong horse, Fire commision included. Details. Details. Details. Especially now with the Fire review in progress. Owner insurance mite want to know of delay as well.
DIANN TESAR DID THIS.
Definitely under her watch. This is why other sleepy boards should take notice. You can’t have the patient ts running the asylum.
Time was up many years ago! Many board members, not all, stop caring about who they represented. Many felt that a Heavy Equipment repair facility should be harassed and held to a much higher standard than other businesses. Why?? One could only surmise they didn’t like him. So the Village used the Fire Department to do the dirty work, as well as the Building and Zoning. The Village tried to shutter this business through zoning for some pretty petty BS. The village says that’s not true, we just want him to follow the rules we made up. That’s right folks Made Up!! This handful of employees have tried to interpret the code the way that best satisfies their agenda.
Finally, the citizens realized that having a few board members that still had a pulse wasn’t going to find compromise.
NOW!! it appears the past board and certain employees and special staff want a do-over through lawsuits. That’s right folks, these are the same F**kers that didn’t hardly lift a finger to stop the harassment and CLEAR OVERREACH!! Hopefully, you had a chance to read the past board and soon Administrator beyond Morainic e-mails on that website that helped get the truth out about those e-mails out. Thank you to the website people. IT STRUCK ME FUNNY THAT THESE VILLAGE FOLKS WERE SO SURE NOBODY WAS GOING TO LOOK OVER THEIR SHOULDER. Now they want to cry, that’s unfair, I didn’t mean those words in the e-mails. It’s Real simple, hard to believe anything but your words. I believe several businesses and citizens need to sue certain individuals personally, IMO they acted outside the village, maybe a nice going away present.
Now they want to bitch about how they lost, that in itself tells you all you need to know. If they felt they were unfairly attacked, then they should have responded. They didn’t, WHY?? Oh wait I forgot about Culats beyond make no sense statements and some F**cking Duck Game, really that’s it after 11 years. He or the other board members shouldn’t be surprised by the outcome. They wanted to believe that the people of Salem Lakes would be loyal one more time with no REAL pushback or effort. REALLY???? They really thought the voters were stupid and would be happy to have it broken off in their ass one more time. We all should be thankful the new board stepped up. They are trying, but the past board and certain employees are coordinating their efforts to try and stop real positive progress. they think lawyers will somehow redeem the stupid shit they did, unfortunately not even an Attorney can fix that. We’ll maybe Johnny Cochran. No, not even Johnny.
I feel sorry for the citizens of the Village that have had to put up with this madness.
I’m also sorry Our Administrator will now have to pay for Storage. However, we should all try and look on the bright side of life. I believe this new board will turn things around. I don’t think you could have found a better choice for President. Thank you President Bucur!!
Sounds like this is all very personal and lacking in any actual facts, just what you think may, or may not be true – so unprofessional and a disgrace to real reporters who report unbiased facts, but that isn’t unexpected considering the source. I don’t know how you get away with calling your opinion page “news”.
There is still some posion left on the board vote them off in the spring
Let’s wait and see, maybe the board is seeing the issues as a whole finally. Time will tell.
The new members of the board see the issues and are working hard to fix them. Some old members of the board are working to make them fail
If the village skid-steer doesn’t have enough flow…
Murdock has gotta go
He should have never been given that position. And never would have if he wasn’t good friends with the village president.
Uh ohhttps://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/5TFfI32XKFeu3V3njumqm4LjIyC4M3DtmSjfjcnqvhTn_Lav_vibr1W7wFidyekmlMn-zn-mftPg33eBOp38FVOO0X9RJwLrhMkb8770MsQVIIbAJJx1ece3gO4AH_pLgTLvIvLUtAHwHDf6Gw=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/15e85f62801/6d2eed94-b22d-4947-bb32-efbe656c2594.png
Is Mike still admin?
https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/5TFfI32XKFeu3V3njumqm4LjIyC4M3DtmSjfjcnqvhTn_Lav_vibr1W7wFidyekmlMn-zn-mftPg33eBOp38FVOO0X9RJwLrhMkb8770MsQVIIbAJJx1ece3gO4AH_pLgTLvIvLUtAHwHDf6Gw=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/15e85f62801/6d2eed94-b22d-4947-bb32-efbe656c2594.png
I wonder what “the girls in the office” have to say about all this. Donald, can you enlighten us with your Silver Lake wisdom?
I lived in Trevor for 20 yrs I thought about moving back but the garbage going on there you can keep it.Good riddance!