OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Winnebago County Judge Scott Woldt says the judicial misconduct allegations against him are taken out of context, some of his remarks were sarcastic, and that several of the claims are brought in violation of his First Amendment rights.
The Wisconsin Judicial Commission filed complaint against him, alleging Judge Woldt violated several Supreme Court rules.
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.
In the five-page response, filed Friday, Judge Woldt’s attorney asks for the complaint to be dismissed.
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.
