The state Department of Justice is currently examining allegations of inappropriate conduct by Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, during his term as prosecutor for the Dane County District Attorney's office, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
Verveer has represented District 4 since 1995, served as City Council president, and acted as prosecutor for the Dane County District Attorney's office until late last year.
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, a woman called the District Attorney's office in late October to report what she characterized as Verveer's unprofessional behavior. After receiving this report, District Attorney Brian Blanchard asked for further investigation. Blanchard also confirmed with the Wisconsin State Journal that following the women's complaint, he asked Verveer to take a leave of absence from the District Attorney's office.
The Wisconsin State Journal spoke with the woman who made the allegations against Verveer, as well as two defendants who hold other claims against the alderman. According to the WSJ, these people described Verveer as someone who sometimes blurred the lines between prosecuting defendants and helping them.
Verveer denied all allegations against him to the Wisconsin State Journal.
""I cooperated with the Wisconsin State Journal, I gave my side of the story to them, they chose to publish their accounts, and I have nothing to add at this time,"" Verveer said.
According to the WSJ, the allegations suggest that Verveer tried to inappropriately intervene in the case of a 19-year-old facing multiple charges of drunken driving by offering to help him outside the courtroom.
The mother of the now 21-year-old boy told the Wisconsin State Journal she witnessed her son meeting with Verveer outside a downtown bar while his case was still ongoing.
Verveer did not deny the meeting, and said that although he did give the defendant his location, he maintained that the meeting was unplanned, according to the WSJ.
""I obviously made mistakes,"" Verveer told the Wisconsin State Journal. ""I would never do anything to jeopardize the state's case.""
Allegations of Verveer's improper conduct follow an incident on Feb. 8 in which Verveer was present at Zander's Sports Lounge when Madison police officer, Carrie Hemming smelled marijuana. Verveer denied any illegal activity, and there has been no further evidence suggesting his use of marijuana.
Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, had no comment regarding the ongoing investigation, but did add, ""I believe that Alder Verveer has been a very strong alder over the past several years.""
