Several city of Milwaukee departments deny having gag order policies similar to the health department

Several city of Milwaukee department officials say they do not have gag order policies similar to the one discovered within the health department.

The gag order, now rescinded by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, may have forced employees to stay quiet about problems within the city's lead program. 

CBS58 checked with city departments to find out whether they had similar policies.

Milwaukee City Clerk Jim Owczarski responded in a statement saying, "You don’t know the reasons for this – and I do not hold you to an account for that reason – but the idea of that existing in this office would be absurd and ill-tolerated by the Council. No, we do not."

Sandy Rusch Walton with Milwaukee's Department of Public Works said in a statement, "No, the Department of Public Works does not have a gag order policy."

Maria Monteagudo, Milwaukee's Director of Employee Relations said in a statement, "My department does not have such policy."

The Election Commission has no such policy. My staff frequently works with council members and other elected officials. I only ask that they keep me informed. I believe this is consistent with the Mayor’s expectations related to council / staff relations.

Milwaukee Election Commission's Executive Director Neil Albrecht responded in a statement saying, "The Election Commission has no such policy. My staff frequently works with council members and other elected officials. I only ask that they keep me informed. I believe this is consistent with the Mayor’s expectations related to council / staff relations."

CBS58 sent out 15 emails and made calls with several other departments. If those departments respond, CBS58 will pass that information along.