City of Milwaukee reaches tentative settlement with Alfonso Morales

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A long-awaited announcement in the case of ousted Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales -- on Tuesday, the city set forth a tentative settlement of $626-thousand.

BREAKING: the city & former police chief Alfonso Morales have reached a tentative settlement. Morales will get about $626,000 & his pension. Deal needs full common council approval by Aug. 1. https://t.co/slJmfAWp2T

— Kristen Barbaresi (@KristenBarbar) July 13, 2021

Mayor Barrett made the announcement at City Hall, calling the tentative agreement "fair."

The $626-thousand combines what he would have been paid as chief for several years, plus money for fees associated with the case.

"I am very happy for him that now we have settled this case, that now we have settled this case on reasonable terms," said Frank Gimbel, Morales' attorney.

Gimbel says the tentative settlement will help his client move on.

"And he will have his time available to go out and find another job in law enforcement in perhaps in an environment that is more friendly, politically, than this one was for him," said Gimbel.

Chief Morales was demoted last year by the Fire and Police Commission. He then retired, but filed suit against the city, winning the favor of a Milwaukee County judge.

"We acknowledge that there were some very serious procedural due process issues here and clearly the court agreed also," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

"A number of new fire and police commissioners approved, and I think they were sworn in today and want to be able to kind of turn the page," said Alderman Ashanti Hamilton of Milwaukee's 1st district.

The agreement still needs to be approved by the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, and then by the full council. 

Should it become final, the next step would be to hire a new chief.

"And I certainly am in support of continuing to have Acting Chief Norman as the chief of the Milwaukee Police Department," said Mayor Barrett.

CBS 58 received a statement from Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic of Milwaukee's 14th district, saying, "Our city is ready to move forward with a permanent chief who is as committed as we are to healing from individual and systemic injustices and to restoring peace."

The council has until Aug. 1 to finalize the deal, otherwise we could see Morales back as chief.