Judge Scott Woldt speaks during a case Sept. 15, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Winnebago County Judge Scott Woldt faces nine allegations of misconduct, and the case is under review by the Wisconsin Judicial Commission. He has denied the allegations.
The complaint details interactions the judge had with a media member where he called himself a ‘sanitational engineer’ for dealing with ‘society’s garbage’”, post-election confrontations with local attorneys who did not support his re-election campaign, and exchange in court with a witness who apparently did not rise at the start of hearing. All of the incidents were in 2023.
The preliminary findings are that the judge violated several Supreme Court rules:
- A rule which “requires judges to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.”
- A rule which “requires judges to personally observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary will be preserved.”
- A rule which “requires judicial officials to treat those with whom they deal in an official capacity with patience, dignity, and courtesy.”
- A rule which “requires judges to conduct all of their extra-judicial activities so that they do not cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially as a judge or demean the judicial office.”
“Because the allegations outlined in paragraphs 12-26 constitute willful violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct provisions cited, they constitute judicial misconduct,” wrote Jeremiah Van Hecke, executive director of the State Bar of Wisconsin. The complaint was filed last week.
Judge Woldt’s attorney provided this statement:
Judge Woldt has vigorously contested these charges since they were first raised and denies any wrongdoing of any kind. He has fully and properly performed his duties as a judge and, in his statements as a private citizen, has done nothing that any private citizen would not have done in exercising his constitutional right of free speech. He looks forward to complete exoneration consistent with the earlier determination by the bipartisan Election Commission, which rejected the similar complaints filed with it.
Woldt’s formal reply to the accusations will be filed in the coming weeks. A hearing may be held before a recommendation is made to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which has the final say on any possible discipline.
This isn’t the first time Judge Woldt has faced a disciplinary hearing. In 2021, Woldt was suspended for seven days for conduct violations.
Woldt was appointed to the bench in 2004, and was re-elected in 2005, 2011, 2017, and 2023.
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