Milwaukee Inspector General defends misconduct investigation as attorney for 1 of the accused fights back

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The City of Milwaukee's Inspector General, Ronda Kohlheim, is defending her report that accuses the city attorney and one of his deputies of misconduct.

But the attorney for Deputy City Attorney Odalo Ohiku is firing back, saying his client did nothing wrong.

Kohlheim says her role is nonpartisan and independent, and that when a city employee filed a complaint, she pursued just the facts.

An attorney says the opposite is true, and she's now risking damage to his client's reputation and professional life.

But Kolheim said, "I don't come with malicious intentions to tarnish anyone's name, character or reputation."

She said her investigation confirmed the confidential complaint that alleged Ohiku worked for his private firm when he was supposed to be working for the city.

She said, "It was shown that he was, you know, conducting private practice and legal affairs without making an adjustment to his city time report."

Kohlheim said it cost the city $5,700.

But Ohiku's attorney called the allegations ridiculous.

Nate Cade said, "To suggest that over three years, somehow, he stole $5,000-plus of time, is nonsense."

At a Common Council committee meeting earlier this week, Kohlheim explained why she referred Ohiku and City Attorney Tearman Spencer to the DA's office for charges.

Kolheim told the committee, "In my opinion, that is a violation of that particular state statute."

At the time, Alderman Mike Murphy asked her, "Do you have any legal background?" She replied, "No."

Cade, Ohiku's attorney, says that's a problem. "She basically said, 'you are a thief and a liar, and I've referred you for charges.' No hearing, right? Where's his due process?"

Cade said Kohlheim's report is full of factual errors that have led to incorrect conclusions. He said outside of city time, Ohiku is free to handle a divorce case or draw up a will, because "there is no rule or regulation that says if you work for the city attorney's office, you can't work separately or on the side."

Cade said Ohiku conducted the work for his private firm as it arose, but he did not need to submit it as vacation time from the city because he still worked a full eight hours.

City Attorney Tearman Spencer previously denied any wrongdoing in a sit-down interview.

Kohlheim maintains her investigation was not motivated by anything other than doing what's best for the city, adding, "I just want the facts. The truth."

But Cade said Ohiku was never interviewed for the report. "How do you turn around and say you have the facts when you haven't even approached the individual who you're investigating?"

All parties involved are now waiting to see if the District Attorney's Office will take action on the report and file charges.