Franklin mayor addresses sexual harassment allegations, among other concerns, at town hall
FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Franklin Mayor John Nelson held a town hall Wednesday night, addressing multiple concerning allegations made against him by the Waterford Police Department.
It was a full house at the Franklin Library; dozens of people showed up with endless questions and concerns about a more than 200-page document CBS 58 News obtained. The document transcribes an interview between Mayor Nelson for an investigation done by a third party, looking into his time at the Waterford Police Department.
The allegations against Nelson center around his nine years working at the department, including claims of sexual harassment towards female officers, creating a hostile work environment and improper use of town resources.
Nelson allowed community members at the town hall Wednesday to fill out index cards asking questions about those allegations, which he denies and calls a witch hunt.
Nelson was asked multiple times about the sexual harassment allegations claiming he made inappropriate comments to female officers and showed inappropriate images of women he had sexual relations with.
“Officers claim you showed them photos of women who you were intimate with. Why do you believe this is ethical behavior in a professional setting?” asked the moderator. “It’s not, and I didn’t, so any photos that were shared with coworkers were from Facebook,” said Mayor Nelson.
Nelson claimed he was put on leave with the department for no reason. However, Teri Jendusa Nicolai, the former Waterford town chair, says during her time with the town, she received concerns from multiple officers about Nelson.
“I will just say that the transcripts speak for themselves,” said Nicolai. “You have numerous officers who were interviewed, and they said what they said. I had nothing to do with any of that. They said what they said.”
Nicolai says the investigation finished when Nelson retired, as the town didn’t want to keep spending money on the investigation.
CBS 58 asked to speak with Nelson before and after the meeting and he declined.