Sen. LeMahieu: Green Bay Mayor agrees to no further illegal spying after costing city taxpayers more than $500,000

Madison– Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) issued the following statement  regarding a settlement announcement with the City of Green Bay after Mayor Eric Genrich  illegally recorded citizens’ conversations in City Hall: 

“Mayor Genrich broke state and federal laws and violated the Constitutional rights of  numerous citizens. His actions were so egregious that a federal court took the rare step of  stripping Mayor Genrich of qualified immunity.” 

“Despite two different courts rulings in the Senate’s favor, and the liberal American Civil  Liberties Union condemning his spying, the Mayor still refuses to publicly admit wrongdoing.  Regardless, this settlement guarantees that Mayor Genrich will not continue his snooping on  citizens in City Hall carrying out their civic duties like paying taxes and voting.”  

The settlement includes a payment of $200,000 from the City to cover legal fees and a public  statement from Mayor Genrich indicating that he will not illegally record citizens in City Hall  again. In all, the Mayor’s actions have cost the City of Green Bay more than $500,000. 

The City of Green Bay issued this statement: “The City Council has barred the Office of the  Mayor from unilaterally implementing a policy of undisclosed audio-and-video surveillance of  City Hall. Mayor Genrich and the City Council as presently constituted agree not to renew the  prior surveillance policy. Mayor Genrich further agrees that any audio/video surveillance policy  that he might in the future propose would require approval from the City Council to take  effect.” 

The State Senate and Senator Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) were plaintiffs in the case. An  additional plaintiff reached a previous settlement with the City for $100,000.