'No other option': Dodge County District Attorney resigns due to prosecutor staffing shortage

JUNEAU, Wis. (CBS 58) -- There will be no state prosecutors working in Dodge County as of Tuesday, Jan. 17, according to former Dodge County District Attorney (DA) Kurt Klomberg.

Klomberg, the Dodge County DA since 2010, resigned on Friday, citing the office's staffing shortage.

"Dodge County, the DA's office here has collapsed," Klomberg said. "I really did not want to give up this office, but there's just no other option at this point."

Between retirements and resignations, Klomberg told CBS 58 replacements are impossible to find. He said no applicants have applied to open positions.

If Klomberg would have stayed, he would have been the only full-time prosecutor to "appear in four circuit courts, negotiate and prepare the over 70 cases set for trial before the end of February, and meet (his) obligations to crime victims."

"I can't by myself do the work of six attorneys, and not commit malpractice on a daily, hourly basis," Klomberg said. 

Dodge County is not alone. Klomberg said 10% of the state's prosecutor positions are unfilled.

"I received an email today that was sent out to all prosecutors in the state from one of my fellow district attorneys essentially begging people will any of you come work here," Klomberg said.

The former DA said the staffing issue is brought on by multiple issues but pay is the most immediate concern.

He said starting salaries at $56,000 for assistant district attorneys is too low. 

"We simply can't complete," Klomberg said. 

Klomberg said the Wisconsin District Attorney's Association is partnering with other state agencies in a proposal before the legislature to raise starting salaries to $70,000. 

"There is a serious crisis and the legislature, and the governor have to act now," Klomberg said.

Prosecutors are an essential part of the criminal justice system. After someone is arrested, a prosecutor has 48 hours to review the case and go before a judge. If that deadline isn't met, the offender is released back into the community.

The former DA said justice will be delayed for many families. 

"Will there be no justice in Dodge County? No, there will still be court operations, but we are at a bare minimum level," Klomberg said.

Klomberg said other counties will find themselves in the same predicament if no action is taken. 

"This is a warning that this is going to happen elsewhere if we do not address this problem immediately," Klomberg said.

Klomberg accepted a position as an assistant district attorney in Green Lake County, where he said he will be the solution to their staffing problem. 

CBS 58 reached out to Gov. Tony Evers' office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice for comment and did not immediately get a response.