Attorney: Morales to return as Milwaukee police chief July 3

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Nearly one year ago, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales was demoted to captain.

He retired and sued for his job back.

Now, his attorney says Morales will walk back into headquarters on Saturday as chief once again.

"Alfonso Morales is the chief of police now and should have been continuing so since August 6," said his lawyer, Frank Gimbel, back in December.

Those were prophetic words after a judge ruled the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission's demotion was flawed from the start. Since then, it has seemed Morales has held all the cards.

Now, Gimbel told CBS 58 settlement talks between the city and Morales are dead. Morales is preparing to return to police headquarters as chief on Saturday.

"That kangaroo court they held in August was blatantly illegal, somebody should have known it at the time," said 4th District Alderman Robert Bauman, back in December as well.

He warned the city was going to have to pay either a settlement or Morales' paycheck. It appears the paycheck will be the option moving forward.

Still, some city leaders questioned Wednesday whether Morales is serious, pointing out he sold his Milwaukee home and moved to Oconomowoc.

"The city is working in good faith to find a settlement solution with former Chief Alfonso Morales that is fair to both him and taxpayers. I hope that we are able to reach what I believe to be our common goal of a financial settlement," said Common Council President Cavalier Johnson.

"We're not going to be commenting at this stage," said mayoral spokesman Jeff Fleming.

Morales also has a judge's order reinstating him as chief on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Acting Chief Jeffrey Norman is a finalist for the Wauwatosa chief job.

We expect to learn that city's pick soon.