August 27, 2018 at 4:44 p.m.
Oneida County medical examiner placed on paid administrative leave
Mathein was candidate for sheriff two days before investigation revealed
Oneida County medical examiner placed on paid administrative leave
By Fred Williston-
Human resources director Lisa Charbarneau confirmed Mathein's leave and said "He will not be back to work until an investigation is complete."
The county has not named an interim medical examiner. Charbarneau said Mathein's deputies - Crystal Schaub, Andrew Nelson, and Bernadette Stoehr - will run the department until further notice.
Currently, Oneida County is also responsible for medical examiner duties in Forest County and is slated to take over that role in Vilas County next year.
Mathein ran for the office of sheriff in the Republican primary on Aug. 14 and lost to incumbent Grady Hartman.
County supervisor Jack Sorensen filed elections and employee conduct complaints against Mathein nine days before the election, alleging Mathein campaigned in the county courthouse on county time and at taxpayer expense.
Sorensen characterizes himself as "a big Hartman supporter".
According to the complaints, Mathein reserved a room in the courthouse for a meeting of the Oneida County Public Safety Association.
Sorensen's grievance centers around the fact that two notes - one outside the room and one on a refreshments table - stated cookies and soda were "Donated by Mathein for Sheriff".
State statutes are vague about the exact limits of politicking in government buildings and as yet, no one has named a specific law Mathein's actions would have violated.
County code, too, is unclear about the legality of Mathein's postings. The code deals with examples like car-top advertisements for candidates while a vehicle is parked on county property, but sponsorship signage is not specifically addressed.
Corporation counsel Brian Desmond told The Lakeland Times "In my time here I have never had to deal with any election-related materials" and said he would research the matter further.
In a response to Sorensen's complaints, Mathein wrote "I believe that I was not functioning as an employee of the county at the time of our gathering; that I have not violated any employee work rules."
Mathein stated he requested the use of the courthouse room not in his capacity as M.E., but as the president of the public safety association. He also said he had requested (and been approved for) paid time off during the event, so he was not on the county's clock while the meeting took place.
On Aug. 16, two days after the election, the public safety committee met in closed session to discuss "medical examiner investigation," according to the meeting's agenda.
That afternoon, committee chairman Mike Timmons was asked by the Times for a summary of that investigation.
"Everything's been in the paper already. It's that stuff," he said, referring to an August 10 Times article authored by investigative reporter Richard Moore about the complaints.
When asked if the investigation centered only around Sorensen's grievances, Timmons said "Yes. It's those topics. I can blatantly - I'll come out and say that - I guess. It's what's been in the paper."
When asked if there were new accusations against Mathein, Timmons said "no".
When asked if Mathein was being investigated for his actions as medical examiner in addition to those as a candidate, Timmons said "no". He then laughed and said "Actually, ask Richard (Moore). He may know more than we do."
On Aug. 24, Charbarneau was asked if the scope of the investigation was limited strictly to campaign complaints lodged by Sorensen. She said "That's part of it," but would not elaborate further.
Charbarneau could not say when she expects the investigation to end, but she said its conclusion "is a top priority" for the county.
She will lead the investigation personally with Desmond assisting.
The Times made interview requests with Mathein on social media and by telephone, but as of press time, he had not responded.
The Times also emailed Charbarneau the following question: "With the public works committee taking up the matter just two days after the election, many readers - without having all the facts - will make the assumption this investigation is retaliatory in nature for Mr. Mathein's having challenged Sheriff Hartman for his job. You need to preserve the integrity of the investigation and must choose your comments carefully, but is there any comment you can make to help assuage the potential assumption of impropriety?"
As of press time, Charbarneau did not respond to the question. The Times has filed open records requests with the county for all documents pertaining to Mathein's leave and the ongoing investigation.
Fred Williston may be reached via email at [email protected].
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