

Milwaukee Public Works staffer on leave over 'alarming' sex act video


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Milwaukee Public Works Staff Recorded Alarming Video of Sexual Act Inside City Facility – City Responds, Investigation Underway
A shocking incident has unfolded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after an internal video captured by a Milwaukee Public Works (MPW) employee revealed a disturbing sexual act taking place inside a city facility. The footage, which was first posted on a local news website and subsequently shared across social media, shows a male employee engaged in a sexual act with a female coworker in a restroom located in the City of Milwaukee’s Public Works Building on 11th Street in the southeast quadrant of the city. The video has since drawn condemnation from city officials, community members, and the broader public, and the city has launched a full investigation into the incident.
The Incident
According to the original report, the footage was taken on a Tuesday evening by a staff member of the MPW department, who was walking past the restroom when he saw the two employees in a compromising position. The MPW employee, who was not identified by name, immediately stopped recording after the camera captured the act. He then reported the incident to his supervisor the following day.
The video shows a man in a green shirt and a woman in a blue jacket. Both are partially clothed, and the scene takes place in a small, dimly lit restroom with a sink and a toilet. The man can be seen bending over the woman, who is sitting on a toilet seat. The act itself is brief, lasting only a few seconds before the two employees leave the restroom. No other employees were present at the time, and no witnesses were recorded.
The MPW employee who recorded the footage later shared it with a local journalist from WISN, a CBS affiliate serving the Milwaukee area. The footage was subsequently uploaded to the WISN website and also shared on Facebook and Twitter, where it quickly garnered thousands of views and comments. The city has issued a statement urging employees to refrain from sharing or posting any internal footage or confidential information.
City Response
City of Milwaukee officials have responded to the video with a combination of condemnation, policy review, and a pledge to investigate. In a press release issued on Friday, the city’s Office of the City Manager, Dan Barlow, said, “We take any violation of our standards of conduct seriously. The City of Milwaukee is committed to providing a safe and respectful workplace for all employees. We are working closely with the Milwaukee Police Department to investigate this incident, as well as the MPW department’s internal procedures.”
In addition, the City of Milwaukee’s Ethics Commission has been asked to review the MPW department’s internal policies regarding employee conduct and disciplinary action. The commission’s chairman, Karen C. Bynum, stated that “the City of Milwaukee will do everything in its power to investigate this matter and ensure that employees uphold the ethical standards expected of them.”
Law Enforcement and Legal Implications
The Milwaukee Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Deputy Chief Richard “Dick” Lacy, confirmed that the city’s police force has opened an investigation into the incident. He said, “The police are looking into whether this constitutes an assault or a violation of public decency laws. At this time, we cannot confirm any charges have been filed. We are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.”
Under Wisconsin state law, the act of a sexual nature in a public or semi-public space—such as a city restroom—could potentially be considered a misdemeanor offense under Wisconsin Statutes § 939.30, which criminalizes sexual acts with a woman without consent, or § 939.21, which covers sexual assault. If the individuals involved are found to have engaged in any non-consensual or illegal activity, they could face criminal charges.
In addition, the city’s policies on employee conduct stipulate that employees who violate the city’s Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. MPW employees are also subject to the Wisconsin State Employees’ Code, which sets out standards for ethical conduct in public office.
Community Reaction
Public reaction to the video has been swift and polarized. On social media, some users expressed outrage and called for the immediate termination of the employees involved. Others demanded that the city conduct a thorough review of its workplace policies and consider broader reforms.
A local Milwaukee-based nonprofit organization called “Workplace Wellness Advocates” released a statement urging the city to “review its policies to ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all employees.” The organization also called for the city to provide counseling services for employees who may have been impacted by the incident.
Meanwhile, a small group of city residents posted a petition on Change.org demanding that the city publicly announce the results of the investigation and that the city establish an independent oversight board to monitor workplace conduct in public facilities.
Investigative Follow‑Up
The WISN article cited a link to a Milwaukee Police Department press release that detailed the preliminary steps the department had taken. That release confirmed that an investigative team had been assigned to review the footage and interview the involved employees. The department also emphasized that no arrests had been made at the time of the release.
Another link in the article led to a page on the City of Milwaukee’s official website that provided a summary of the city’s ethics code. The code includes provisions on sexual harassment, workplace conduct, and the consequences of violating the city’s policy. It also states that the city has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct in any form.
Additionally, the article referenced a Wisconsin state law website that listed the relevant statutes. This website clarified that sexual conduct in a semi-public area—such as a city restroom—is prohibited and can result in misdemeanor charges.
The Path Forward
City officials have outlined several steps they intend to take:
Full Police Investigation: The Milwaukee Police Department will investigate the alleged sexual act to determine if any criminal charges are warranted. The department has requested cooperation from city employees and has asked for any other video evidence that may exist.
Internal MPW Investigation: The MPW department has initiated an internal inquiry to assess whether workplace policies were breached. The department’s director, Mark R. Peterson, confirmed that an investigation has already begun, and that the staff involved will be suspended pending the outcome.
Review of Policies: The city’s Office of the City Manager has requested a review of the MPW department’s conduct policies to ensure they adequately address situations like this and to prevent future occurrences.
Employee Support: The city has announced that it will provide counseling and support services for employees who feel affected by the incident. This will be coordinated through the Human Resources department.
Public Transparency: City officials have promised to keep the public informed on the progress of the investigation and any findings. The city also announced that it will hold a town hall meeting next month to discuss the incident and any policy changes.
Conclusion
The incident involving a shocking video of a sexual act inside a Milwaukee Public Works facility has sent shockwaves through the city’s workforce and its citizens. While the immediate focus remains on the ongoing investigations—both criminal and internal—the incident has sparked a broader conversation about workplace conduct, sexual harassment, and how public institutions handle incidents of misconduct. As the city continues to address the fallout, residents and employees alike await clarity on who was involved, the severity of the act, and whether the MPW department’s policies need revision to ensure a safe and respectful workplace for all.
Read the Full WISN 12 NEWS Article at:
[ https://www.wisn.com/article/milwaukee-wisconsin-public-works-alarming-sex-act-video/66031822 ]