Complaints, Investigations, and Disciplinary Action by WI Judicial Commission re Judge Bruce Schroeder

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Wisconsin Open Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

With regard to Judge Bruce Schroeder, for the full tenure of his position as Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Kenosha Circuit, Branch 3, complete and accurate copies of any and all complaints, as well as any investigations and/or disciplinary actions resulting therefrom, as filed with the Wisconsin Judicial Commission ("Commission"). Said documentation includes, but is not limited to: (1) any and all complaints ("requests for investigation" and/or "initial inquiries") alleging judicial misconduct (including, but not limited to, improper ex parte communications, conflicts of interest, displays of injudicious temperament, persistent neglect of duties, racist or sexist remarks, prohibited political or campaign conduct, abuse of power, acceptance of gifts from litigants or lawyers, and/or serious personal misconduct) on the part of Judge Schroeder from 1983 to present; (2) the full and complete, non-privileged portions of any and all investigations initiated by the Commission in response to any such complaint(s); (3) a complete list of matters pertaining to Judge Schroeder that the Commission referred to another agency and/or suggested the consultation of legal counsel; (4) a complete list of allegations disposed of by the Commission's staff, pursuant to the mandate that said allegations are subject to periodic review by the Commission's Screening Committee; (5) any and all preliminary responses submitted by Judge Schroeder to the Commission's Executive Director; (6) any and all evaluation reports prepared by the Commission's Executive Director for the Commission's review; (7) a full and complete list of authorized investigations into alleged misconduct against Judge Schroeder; (8) any and all non-privileged documents pertaining to any authorized investigation, including, but not limited to interviews with the complainant, Judge Schroeder, witnesses to the alleged conduct, or lawyers who practice before Judge Schroeder, any relevant transcripts or other documents examined as part of any investigation, any documents or information related to the matter under investigation as requested by the Commission, and/or any subpoenas issued in connection with the investigation; (9) for any and all investigations undertaken by the Commission, a full and complete list of the outcome (i.e., dismissal without further action, an offer to Judge Schroeder to formally respond that results in dismissal with a warning or communication of concerns); (10) for any investigations from which the Commission found cause to proceed further, any and all written notifications to Judge Schroeder of the allegations in question and the factual basis thereof, as well as any and all responses (written or in person) from Judge Schroeder thereto; (11) a full and complete list of any and all allegations for which the Commission found probable cause that Judge Schroeder engaged in misconduct; (12) a full and complete list of any and all cases of alleged misconduct by Judge Schroeder that were heard by the three-judge panel from the Court of Appeals; (13) full and complete copies of any non-privileged documentation filed in connection with any cases heard by the three-judge panel; and (14) the resolution of any such cases brought before the three-judge panel, including full copies of the panel's reports on its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and/or recommended disposition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and any disciplinary measures or sanctions imposed as a result of any or all of the foregoing proceedings.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Kass