Wausau Ethics Board: Mayor Diny Violated City Code

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – The Wausau Ethics Board on Wednesday announced their decision in the complaint against Mayor Doug Diny.

Board chair Calvin Dexter read their decision, saying the ethics board determined upon “clear and convincing evidence” that Diny violated 2.03.030J of the of the city of Wausau Municipal Code.

The board voted unanimously to approve the decision. 

The decision comes after a nearly seven hour hearing last week, where the board heard testimony from several witnesses regarding Diny’s removal of the ballot box.

During the hearing, Diny’s attorney Eric Erlandson argued that the removal of the box was out of concern for safety. 

Diny testified that his concerns weren’t taken seriously by the city clerk. He said prior to his removal of the box, he had asked the clerk to bring the issue of the box to city council.

He said that request wasn’t fulfilled, and when the city clerk notified him she would be sending ballots out with instructions to use the ballot box, it took him by surprise.

“I was stunned, like gut punched and I was just disappointed because I have had a lot of respect for the clerk. She has a very, at times, demanding job. She’s fairly well organized, generally, and we did meet regularly on other issues like open records,” Diny said. “So I felt this is a trusted employee. It really felt like insubordination in the moment”

Diny later said he took the box to send a message to the city clerk about insubordination. 

“I certainly can be criticized for my methods, but I can’t be criticized for my values in what I’m trying to do,” he said.

The board did not recommend to the city council to censure, issue fines, suspend or remove the mayor from office.

---