Trustees Declare Havn Ethics Violations Matter Closed

Editor's Note: We did not accurately quote President James Majdoch's motion. We have corrected it and regret the error. The motion specifically referred to anything criminal, and we have added that language.

The village's investigation into alleged ethics violations against Trustee Sonny Havn has been declared closed, after a 4-0 vote by Mount Pleasant trustees voted 4-0 with Havn abstaining Wednesday afternoon.

In his motion after a 90-minute closed session, President Jim Majdoch said, "I move that there be no additional formal review of anything criminal regarding the anonymous letter."

Trustee Gary Feest seconded the motion and it passed on a vote of 4-0 with Havn abstaining. Trustee Karen Albeck did not attend the meeting.

The special board meeting was called to address an addendum Racine Police Chief Art Howell submitted to the village last week after he issued a six-page report based on an anonymous letter delivered to Village Hall last October. In the letter, the writer alleged an inappropriate relationship between Havn and a staff member, which the author felt was a conflict of interest and/or malfeasance in office.

Howell's report concluded no criminal misconduct had occurred. However, he urged village officials to draft a policy regarding ethics and a code of conduct, and perhaps engage legal representation to determine if, indeed, a conflict of interest existed.

"Art suggested we review our policies and we'll do that," Majdoch said after the meeting. "If there needs to be a tune up, we'll do that, too."

As for why the board chose to close the matter instead of looking into the possibility of a conflict of interest, Attorney Elaine Ekes told Majdoch he didn't need to answer because that part of the discussion took place in closed session.

"There's no need to comment further," she told him, and he confirmed he would follow counsel's advice.

Interim Administrator Tim Zarzecki said the board's decision to not look further into the matter means it's settled.

"Once Chief Howell determined there wasn't anything criminal, it was up to the board," he said, "And now, they've decided there's nothing else to do, so no formal action is being taken."

Howell's initial report and the addendum are expected to be released in the coming weeks. Majdoch said village counsel will look through the reports and send out Woznicki notices to parties named in the letter and in the documents from Howell.

After the legal time limit is met, he added, the reports will go out per already received open records requests.