Former Milwaukee City Attorney Tearman Spencer charged with misconduct in office
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Charges have been filed against Milwaukee's former city attorney, Tearman Spencer.
A criminal complaint lists the charges as misconduct in office, a Class I felony, and obstructing an officer, a Class A Misdemeanor.
It alleges that while employed as a public officer, Spencer directed Milwaukee city attorney staff and resources "in an effort to have himself or another avoid fees and repairs required by the Department of Neighborhood Services inspections that totaled thousands of dollars." The complaint says this was also done in an effort to avoid inspections regarding his personal property.
Prosecutors say Spencer went on to mislead investigators when questioned about the use of resources to his personal benefit between June 1, 2022, and Feb. 14, 2023.
Court documents show Spencer stored 10 to 12 cars in a now torn-down building on N. MLK Jr. Drive. Interviews with the property owner reveal Spencer said he would cover maintenance for the building if he could continue to store his cars there. When the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) wrote code violations for the property Spencer allegedly got involved.
A DNS employee said Spencer showed up to an inspection at the property and made her uncomfortable, and that his voice and body language were intimidating. The property owner claims Spencer asked the inspector "Do you know who I am?" during that same encounter.
He is accused of directing his staff to write a memo explaining the building was not occupied and therefore not subject to occupancy fees, despite inspectors seeing people inside it. Investigators interviewed the former DNS Commissioner who said she believed that the opinion made in the memo was wrong.
"[The former Commisoner] stated a property must either be vacant, pay appropriate vacancy fees and still be subject to codes of a certain type, or have an occupancy license and be subject to another set of codes to comply with," the complaint read.
A warrant found Spencer forwarded this memo to his personal email before sending it to the property owner.
In his interview, Spencer denied sending the memo to the property owner, but admitted to having his office quote "look into it, to make sure that we were clear on what the statute is."
Other city employees involved say they didn't know Spencer wanted the memo for his personal affairs or that it involved DNS, a client of the city attorney's office.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson released the following statement on the matter:
“The allegations against former City Attorney Tearman Spencer are both disturbing and disappointing. The people of Milwaukee have expectations their elected officials scrupulously follow the law, and today’s charges assert that Mr. Spencer did not.
I have consistently called for accountability for those who violate the public’s trust. The voters of this city removed City Attorney Spencer from office in April. That was one form of accountability. He will now face accountability in a court of law.
In our system of justice, the accused deserve both a presumption of innocence and a full opportunity to defend themselves. In this matter, it is my hope justice will come as quickly as possible.”
If convicted of the felony, Spencer faces imprisonment of up to three years and six months and a $10,000 fine, for the misdemeanor, he could spend up to 9 months in prison and be fined $10,000.
CBS 58 reached out to Spencer via email for comment but did not hear back.