Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 1 of 30 Document 1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALFONSO MORALES
977 Autumn Ridge Drive
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Plaintiff,
Case No.
v.
CITY OF MILWAUKEE,
200 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS

200 East Wells Street
GRISELDA ALDRETE
5420 W. Jerelyn Place
STEVEN DEVOUGAS
3004 N. 70th Street
NELSON SOLER
3754 S. Clement Avenue
ANN WILSON
4815 W. Custer Avenue
FRED CROUTHER
4201 N. 16th Street, Unit 2
ANGELA MCKENZIE
3131 W. McKinley Boulevard, #3133
Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 1 of 30 Document 1

EVERETT COCROFT
8334 N. 111th Street
and
RAYMOND ROBAKOWSKI
7925 W. Ohio Avenue
Members of City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission,

individually and in their official capacity
Defendants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPLAINT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOW COMES Plaintiff Alfonso Morales, by his attorneys, Franklyn M. Gimbel,
Raymond M. Dall’Osto, Jaclyn C. Kallie and Brianna J. Meyer, of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin
& Brown LLP, and complains against the above-named Defendants, and for his claims
for relief, alleges and shows to the Court as follows:
JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. This action is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and the First, Fifth, Sixth
and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, for the violation of the
Plaintiff’s Federal Civil Rights by the defendants.
2. This Court has original subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s federal
claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 (federal question) and 1343(a)(3) and (4) (civil rights)
and 42 U.S.C. §1983. This Court also has supplemental subject matter jurisdiction over

Plaintiff’s state law claims (pendent state claims) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367, as they are
so related to the claims in the action within the court’s original jurisdiction that they form
part of the same case or controversy. This Court has personal jurisdiction over each of
the government entity defendants, and as to each individual defendant as they are
residents of the State of Wisconsin and all actions complained of herein occurred in the
State of Wisconsin.
3. Venue for this action properly lies in the Eastern District of Wisconsin
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b), because defendants are either located in or are citizens of
this judicial district and all of the events giving rise to Plaintiff’s claims occurred in this
judicial district.
PARTIES
4. Plaintiff Alfonso Morales is an adult citizen and resident of the State of
Wisconsin, residing at 977 Autumn Ridge Drive, Oconomowoc, WI 53066, and was, until
his summary removal, the Chief of Police of the City of Milwaukee, who was appointed
and served pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 62.09(13), 62.13(3) and (5)(j), 62.50(6), among other
statutes, city ordinances implementing such and a contract between the defendants
employing him as Chief of Police.
5. Defendant City of Milwaukee (“City”) is a municipal corporation and
political subdivision of the State of Wisconsin, duly organized and operating under the
laws of the State, including Wis. Stat. Chapter 62, with its governmental offices located at
200 East Wells Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. The City is liable pursuant to Wis.
Stat. § 895.46, for the acts and for payment of any judgment entered against a public

officer or employee named in this action, because said defendants were and are acting
within the scope of their employment at the time they committed the acts causing the
injuries and damages to Morales.
6. Defendant Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (“the Board”) is a
municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Wisconsin, City of
Milwaukee, duly organized and operating under the laws of the State, including Wis.
Stat. § 62.13(1) and (5)(j), with its governmental offices located at 200 East Wells Street,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. The Board is liable pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 895.46, for the
acts and for payment of any judgment entered against a public officer or employee named
in this action, because said defendants were acting within the scope of their employment
at the time they committed the acts causing the injuries and damages to Morales.
7. Defendant Griselda Aldrete is an adult citizen and resident of the State of
Wisconsin, residing at 5420 W. Jerelyn Place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53219, who was the
executive director for the City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission in and after
August 2020 and at all times relevant to this action, was acting under color of law and
within the scope of appointment and employment with the Board and the City.
8. Defendant Steven Devougas is an adult citizen and resident of the State of
Wisconsin, residing at 3004 N. 70th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53210, who was the
chairperson of the City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission in and after August
2020 and at all times relevant to this action, was acting under color of law and within the
scope of appointment and employment with the Board and the City.

9. Defendant Nelson Soler is an adult citizen and resident of the State of
Wisconsin, residing at 3754 S. Clement Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53207, who was
the vice-chair for the City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission in and after August
10. Defendant Ann Wilson is an adult citizen and resident of the State of
Wisconsin, residing at 4815 W. Custer Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53218, who was a
commissioner for the City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission in and after August
11. Defendant Fred Crouther is an adult citizen and resident of the State of
Wisconsin, residing at 4201 N. 16th Street, Unit 2, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209, who was
a commissioner for the City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission in and after
12. Defendant Angela McKenzie is an adult citizen and resident of the State of
Wisconsin, residing at 3131 W. McKinley Boulevard, #3133, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53208,
who was a commissioner for the City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission in and
after August 2020 and at all times relevant to this action, was acting under color of law
and within the scope of appointment and employment with the Board and the City.
13. Defendant Everett Cocroft is an adult citizen and resident of the State of
Wisconsin, residing at 8334 N. 111th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224, who was a

commissioner for the City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission in and after August
14. Defendant Raymond Robakowski is an adult citizen and resident of the
State of Wisconsin, residing at 7925 W. Ohio Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53219, who
was a commissioner for the City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission in and after
FACTS COMMON TO ALL CLAIMS
15. Plaintiff realleges paragraph nos. 1 through 14 of this complaint as though
fully set forth herein.
16. In February 2018, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners named
Plaintiff Morales Interim Chief of Police of the City of Milwaukee, after the mid-term
retirement of former Chief Edward Flynn.
17. In April 2018, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners appointed
Morales to serve as Chief of Police of the City of Milwaukee Police Department until
January 8, 2020.
18. On December 16, 2019, then Board chairperson Steven DeVougas
announced the Board would not vote on the reappointment of Morales, despite his term
ending in less than thirty days, citing “unanswered questions” that he had as the
purported reason.

19. At a hearing of the Board held on December 18, 2019, the Board of Fire and
Police Commissioners voted to reappoint Morales to serve a four-year term, successive
to his completion of Flynn’s term.
20. The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and Morales entered into a
written contract on December 18, 2019, memorializing his appointment to serve a four-
year term, which agreement reappointed Morales as the Chief of Police of the City of
Milwaukee Police Department for a term commencing on January 8, 2020 and expiring
on January 8, 2024.
21. The four-year term for the Chief of Police is established by City of
Milwaukee Ordinance 312-01, in accord with Wis. Stat. § 62.50(6).
22. The COVID-19 pandemic struck Milwaukee and the United States in
earnest in February and March 2020, some sixty days into Chief Morales’ four-year term.
City officials were tasked with focusing on responding to the pandemic and maintaining
public safety and order, amidst the shutdown of the economy, while keeping essential
government services operational.
23. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was tragically killed by police officers in
Minneapolis, spawning weeks of protest and unrest across the nation and in Milwaukee,
requiring a police response in the City and throughout the nation.
24. In June and July 2020, the Police Department’s handling of the civil unrest,
arising from protests in the City following the death of George Floyd, was brought into
question by some citizens and groups, which were covered by local media.

25. On July 2, 2020, Mel Johnson, an attorney hired to investigate ethics
complaints about Board chairperson DeVougas, issued a report in which Chief Morales
is cited as having said that DeVougas had told him that he would vote to reappoint
Morales if Morales first fired a City of Milwaukee Police officer, who was involved in the
arrest of Milwaukee Bucks basketball player Sterling Brown.
26. Brown was subdued by police officers who used a taser on him during a
confrontation outside of a Walgreen’s in January 2018, which actions resulted in a federal
lawsuit being brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Brown v. City of Milwaukee, et al., Case
No. 18-CV-922 (E.D. Wis.).
27. On July 7, 2020 and July 13, 2020, an executive officer of the Milwaukee
Police Department informed other executive officers of the Department that he had been
advised by a member of the defendant Board and its Executive Director, Griselda Aldrete,
that the Board had decided to remove Morales as Chief of Police, and that the officer who
made the disclosure and another senior officer would be considered as candidates to
replace Morales.
28. The Board met in executive session with Morales on July 16, and set a one
item agenda for its meeting on July 20, 2020, to consider: “a resolution to vote and issue
directives for Police Chief Alfonso Morales.”
29. On July 20, 2020, the Board met and issued an executive order setting forth
multiple directives for Chief Morales and the City of Milwaukee Police Department. The
order required Chief Morales to comply with the directives by specified dates, ranging
from seven to thirty days after the issuance of the directives. These directives included a

clause stating that failure to comply with the directives shall result in “disciplinary action
by the Board, including discharge, suspension, or reduction in rank, pursuant to Sec.
62.50 Wis. Stats.”
30. On July 21, 2020, Chief Morales wrote a letter to the Board requesting that
he be provided with a copy of the exact directives that the Board issued the previous day.
31. The Board thereafter provided Morales with a copy of the written directives
which had not been done previously.
32. Chief Morales wrote a second letter to the Board, requesting additional time
to provide some of the information demanded by the Board in the written directives.
33. On August 1, 2020, Board executive director Aldrete advised Chief Morales
that the Board would extend the deadline for one directive, but the deadlines for the
remaining directives would be unchanged.
34. On July 28, 2020, Milwaukee City Attorney Tearman Spencer wrote to City
of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, advising the Mayor that one of the Board’s directives
-- that Morales disclose information related to the Police Department’s compliance with
a settlement agreement resolving a federal civil rights case -- would jeopardize that
settlement agreement.
35. City Attorney Spencer encouraged Mayor Barrett to overrule the Board’s
directive to disclose such information, but the Mayor took no action.
36. On August 4, 2020, in compliance with the Board’s directive that Morales
publicly explain the Police Department’s use of non-lethal chemical irritants, Chief
Morales and then-Assistant Chief of Police Michael Brunson, Sr., appeared in a Police

Department video, which was publicly released via a media release with a link on
YouTube, addressing and explaining police officers’ use of tear gas and pepper spray
during the civil unrest that grew out of the protests following the death of George Floyd.
37. On August 5, 2020, the Milwaukee Police Department issued a report to the
Board that some the directives were unclear and echoed the concern previously
expressed by the City Attorney that some of the information requested related to
incidents that were part of internal investigations, pending cases or civil litigation, the
release of which information could compromise those matters.
38. Despite these stated concerns, Chief Morales and the Milwaukee Police
Department provided to the Board the information required in the July 20 directives on
the afternoon of August 6, 2020.
39. On the afternoon of August 6, 2020, just a few hours before the scheduled
meeting of the Board, relative to Chief Morales, Board Chairperson DeVougas released a
lengthy statement to the press and public and conducted a press conference, critical of
Chief Morales, in which he divulged discussions he had with the Chief and Mayor Barrett
about a police officer-involved shooting and other concerns he said he had about Morales.
40. Board Chairperson DeVougas’ comments reflected his animus towards
Morales and previewed his predisposition to take adverse action against Morales and his
continued employment as Chief of Police.
41. On August 6, 2020, the Board met to discuss a resolution to vote on the
“dismissal, demotion, licensing, or discipline of Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso
Morales.”
10

42. The Board never convened itself for a hearing, before an impartial tribunal,
at which time evidence would be presented in support of specific allegations, as is
required by Wis. Stat. § 62.50 (16) and (19) and 62.13(5)(j), relevant Wisconsin caselaw,
and the notice, due process, equal protection and fair hearing requirements of the United
States and Wisconsin Constitutions.
43. At the August 6, 2020 meeting, Board members discussed some concerns
they had during the tenure of Chief Morales, and voted unanimously to approve a motion
to remove Morales from his position as Chief of Police, and to demote him to Captain.
44. No filing or service of a complaint or notice of charges against Chief
Morales was ever made by the Board or anyone on its behalf, as is required under Wis.
Stat. § 62.50(14), (15) and (19) and 62.13(5)(j), and the notice, due process and fair hearing
requirements of the United States and Wisconsin Constitutions, and none were made on
the record.
45. Chief Morales was never given any written charges, either before or at the
August 6 meeting. No formal charges had been issued or filed before the meeting, none
were stated or presented to Morales at the meeting, nor were any specific formal charges
discussed by the defendant Board members at the August 6, 2020 meeting prior to their
rendering their summary removal and demotion decision.
46. While Chief Morales was present and represented by counsel at this
meeting, at no point during the meeting was Chief Morales or his counsel ever allowed
to speak or to offer his own evidence or witnesses to rebut the vague assertions and
11

accusations made by the Board, or to respond to the motion to remove him as Chief and
to demote him to Captain.
47. No sworn testimony was taken at this meeting, no documentary or other
evidence was provided, referenced or entered into the record, and none was ever
provided to Chief Morales.
48. Morales and his counsel were not given any opportunity to cross-examine
witnesses, engage with or question Board members or otherwise answer the charges,
including through the presentation of his own witnesses and other evidence.
49. The Board never made or filed written findings of fact, conclusions or a
decision following the August 6, 2020 meeting, as it is required to do under Wis. Stat. §
62.50(17)(a) and 62.13(5)(f) and (j), and the notice, due process and fair hearing
requirements of the United States and Wisconsin Constitutions, and none were made on
the record.
50. After the Board’s vote to remove Morales as Chief and demote him, to be
effective immediately, the Board did not advise or issue findings or determinations to
allow him to commence judicial review of its decision, including seeking a stay of the
Board’s action pending such review. Wis. Stat. § 62.50(17)(a) and 62.13(5)(f) and (j).
51. A petition for judicial review of the Board’s summary action in removing
Morales as Police Chief and demoting him, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 62.50(20)-(21), and for
certiorari review was filed in state court by Morales on September 8, 2020. Morales v. City
of Milwaukee and Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Case No. 20-CV-5352 (Milwaukee
County Circuit Court).
12

52. As a result of the defendants breaking their four-year contract with Plaintiff
Morales without cause, not following required statutory and constitutional requirements
in doing so by fiat, and not allowing him to return to work as Chief of Police pending the
disposition of the circuit court appeal of the summary removal as Chief, Morales was
forced to resign due to intolerable and illegal conditions, which constitutes a constructive
discharge. He began to withdraw monies from his pension with the City’s Employee
Retirement System (ERS) in August 2020.
53. After briefs and arguments were presented to the Circuit Court, the Hon.
Christopher R. Foley presiding, a decision and order was rendered by Judge Foley on
December 18, 2020. Copy attached and incorporated herein as Exhibit 1. Morales v. City
of Milwaukee and Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Case No. 20-CV-5352 (Milwaukee
County Circuit Court).
54. Judge Foley reversed in its entirety the August 6, 2020 decision of the Board
removing Morales as Police Chief and demoting him to Captain. Neither the City or the
Board ever asked Judge Foley to reconsider this decision, and the defendants never filed
an appeal of his December 18, 2020 decision and order.
55. Judge Foley considered and decided the case under both the statutory
appeal standards of Wis. Stat. § 62.50, and under the certiorari review standard, because
the defendant Board and its members failed to provide notice, a written decision and a
number of other due process violations. Exhibit 1, p. 4.
56. Judge Foley found that “the City admits, as they should, the process by
which then-Chief Morales was demoted is indefensible. The disregard for the statutory
13

and constitutional requirements of notice and opportunity to be heard was open and
obvious.” Exhibit 1, p. 4.
57. Judge Foley found that:
structural errors, requiring automatic reversal, affect and permeate the entire
conduct of the proceedings. It is clear this entire process was flawed. It was not
properly initiated, depriving the petitioner of notice of the specific charges against
him; no evidence was presented to support whatever those charges may have
been; he was not permitted to challenge any evidence in support of those charges
by cross examination or presentation of his own witnesses or evidence; as noted
below, even on this limited record, it is clear one of the tribunal members was not
impartial; the tribunal failed to make findings as to what charges were sustained
and justified the demotion. Disregard of the statutory and constitutional
requirements attending this process pervaded it from beginning to end.
Exhibit 1, pp. 5-6.
58. Following receipt of Judge Foley’s December 18 decision and order,
Morales’ counsel contacted opposing counsel at the City Attorney’s Office to inquire
about arrangements for Petitioner to promptly resume his duties as Chief of Police and
to set a time for his return to work as Chief.
59. The Assistant City Attorney representing the defendants indicated that
there could not be an immediate return and reinstatement of plaintiff Morales to work as
Chief at the Police Department. Defendants’ counsel requested that Morales should not
show up for work at the Police Administration Building and requested that he hold off
on physically returning to resume his duties as Chief, until the City and the Board
considered and decided which way they would proceed, i.e., a return to work as Police
Chief or entering into a financial settlement, including a buy-out of the remainder of
Morales’ contract.
14

60. In good faith, not wanting to provoke an unnecessary confrontation at the
Police Administration Building with the acting chief, not wanting to cause discord within
the Department or public embarrassment to the members of the Milwaukee Police
Department, Morales, in consultation with his legal counsel, acceded to the City’s request
that he delay his actual return to work as Police Chief for a short period of time.
61. Plaintiff Morales’ lawyers requested that a meeting with representatives of
the defendants be promptly held, to finalize which direction things would take; and if a
financial settlement and contract buy-out proposal was not put forth, to agree to a date
when Morales would return to work as Chief of Police. This meeting was held at the
office of Plaintiff’s lawyers at the end of December 2020.
62. After this meeting, Morales and his lawyers did not receive any proposal
for settlement or a specific return to work date from the defendants, so on January 17,
2021, Plaintiff’s lawyers sent a letter to counsel for the defendants requesting a decision,
one way or the other. Counsel acknowledged receipt of this letter.
63. Since that time, Morales and his lawyers have not received any written
response from the City or from the Board or its representatives, nor have they been given
a specific return to work date or an alternative offer for settlement and buy-out from the
defendants, following the letter of January 17, 2021.
64. In February 2021, when local news media reported a dispute between some
members of the Board and the City Attorney’s Office, and that private, outside counsel
might be retained to represent the defendants, one of Morales’ lawyers contacted that
15

private counsel, to try to establish “who was on first” and to set a specific date for Morales
to resume his position as Chief of Police.
65. Plaintiff Morales never wanted to be removed as Chief of Police, and was
ready, willing and available to return to work as Chief in December 2020 and since that
time, including up until the filing of this lawsuit. This was expressed to representatives
of the defendants on many occasions, to no avail.
66. As a result of the defendants continuing to stall and their never offering a
return to work date or making a written offer to buy out the remainder of Plaintiff’s
contract plus back pay and additional costs incurred, Morales filed a motion to enforce
Judge Foley’s decision and order in April 2021.
67. On May 19, 2021, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Christopher R. Foley
held a hearing on Morales’ motion to enforce the December 2020 order previously issued
by the court, which the City and Board opposed. A transcript of the May 19th motion
hearing is attached and incorporated herein as Exhibit 2. Morales v. City of Milwaukee and
Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Case No. 20-CV-5352 (Milwaukee County Circuit
Court).
68. After hearing the arguments of counsel, Judge Foley granted Morales’
motion to enforce and ordered him reinstated as Chief of Police. Judge Foley then stayed
the effective date of the return to work order for 45 days, so that the parties would have
time and opportunity to try to negotiate a settlement, which the court strongly
encouraged. Copy of order reinstating Morales is attached and incorporated herein as
16

Exhibit 3. Morales v. City of Milwaukee and Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Case No.
20-CV-5352 (Milwaukee County Circuit Court).
69. Having received no written response from the defendants in the weeks after
the May 19th court hearing and decision, Morales’ lawyers sent another letter to the
defendants’ legal representative on June 1, 2021, proposing to work out details for
Morales to return to work as Chief, in early July 2021, or in the alternative, proposing
terms for a buy-out of his contract, plus back pay, additional costs, etc. Morales’ lawyers
also offered in their June 1 letter Plaintiff’s proposal for and agreement to participate in
mediation.
70. On June 9, 2021, the defendants filed a notice of appeal of Judge Foley’s
order reinstating plaintiff Morales as Chief of Police.
71. As of the date of the filing of this lawsuit, the defendants have not
responded to the June 1, 2021 letter sent to them by Morales’ legal counsel, nor to the
previous letter sent in January 2021.
72. By filing this appeal, the defendants are apparently in disagreement with
Judge Foley’s findings, decision and order of December 18, 2020, and his order of
reinstatement rendered at the May 19, 2021 hearing, and subsequently signed and filed.
Exhibit 3. This “big stall” and refusal to comply with state court orders, and the
concomitant continuing violation of Plaintiff Morales’ statutory, common law and state
and federal constitutional rights and denial of his liberty and property interests,
continues to cause him injury and damages.
17

73. Given the defendants’ more than six months of offering nothing and
refusing to comply with Judge Foley’s orders for reinstatement, Plaintiff Morales has
tried to mitigate his damages by putting out feelers and applications for other possible
alternative employment opportunities. He was offered a position with better pay several
months ago, but because of the continuing controversy, which was and continues to be
caused and abetted by defendants’ intransigent defense of their illegal and
unconstitutional actions, and the resultant press coverage of same, the job offer made to
him and accepted was withdrawn because of such.
74. Given the defendants’ more than six months of offering nothing and
refusing to comply with Judge Foley’s orders for reinstatement, plaintiff Morales faces a
significant risk of being retaliated against and undermined every step of the way upon
his return as Chief of Police of the City of Milwaukee. This retaliation and violation of
his statutory and constitutional rights, simply for standing up for his rights, also violates
state law and federal and state constitutional rights of due process, equal protection and
fair treatment.
NOTICE OF INJURY AND CLAIM
75. Plaintiff, in furtherance of his causes of action, has timely filed and served
on August 20, 2021, a notice of injury and notice of claim upon each of the defendants,
City of Milwaukee and the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, pursuant to Wis.
Stat. § 893.80.
18

76. More than 120 days have elapsed since service of the notice of claim on the
defendants, and Plaintiff has not received a response, which, under Wis. Stat. § 893.80(1g),
constitutes a statutory disallowance of claim.
COUNT I
Deprivation of Federal Constitutional Rights
(42 U.S.C. sec. 1983 Violation of First, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment)
78. The defendants, in their individual capacities and acting under the color of
law, have violated Plaintiff's due process rights by wrongfully depriving Plaintiff of a
property right in his rank as a person appointed to Police Chief until January 8, 2024.
79. The defendants failed to follow the applicable Wisconsin Statutes, Rules
and Regulations of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the City of Milwaukee
and federal and state constitutional rights during the August 6, 2020 Board meeting
during which Plaintiff was summarily removed as Chief of Police and demoted to
Captain.
80. The above-described conduct by the defendants acted as a direct and
proximate cause of Plaintiff's injuries.
81. The above-described conduct by the defendants acting under color of law
violated Plaintiff's rights pursuant to the First, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the
United States Constitution.
82. The above-described conduct by the defendants deprived the Plaintiff his
federally protected property interest without due process of law.
19

83. As a direct result of defendants’ conduct, Plaintiff has suffered significant
injuries and damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
COUNT II
42 U.S.C. § 1983 – Monell Claim
85. The actions of the individual defendants and their unlawful removal of
Plaintiff Morales as Chief of Police, and continued deprivation of that position to him, as
alleged above, were done pursuant to one or more defacto policies, practices, and/or
customs of the City of Milwaukee and the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, and
its individual members.
86. The aforementioned policies, practices, and customs are the proximate
causes of the constitutional and other legal violations, and the Plaintiff's injuries.
87. The aforementioned policies, practices, and customs individually and
together have been maintained and/or implemented with deliberate indifference by the
City of Milwaukee and the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and have
encouraged the individual defendants to commit the aforesaid wrongful acts against
Plaintiff, and therefore acted as a direct and proximate cause of Constitutional and other
legal violations, and Plaintiff's injuries.
88. The above actions and conduct by the City of Milwaukee and the Board of
Fire and Police Commission and on the part of its individual members violated the
20

Plaintiff’s rights under the First, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States
Constitution, was a cause of the Plaintiff’s injuries, losses and damages as set forth herein.
90. The defendant City of Milwaukee is liable pursuant to Wis. Stat. §895.46 for
payment of any judgment entered against the individual defendants in this action
because said defendants were acting within the scope of their employment and/or
appointment when they committed the acts described above.
COUNT III
Civil Conspiracy and Concerted Action
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §895.045(2)
92. The defendants knowingly and voluntarily participated in a scheme to
unlawfully and unconstitutionally remove Morales as Chief of Police and demote him to
Captain, without affording him the mandatory statutory rights he was entitled to or the
federal and state constitutional rights to due process, adequate notice and a fair hearing
before an unbiased tribunal.
93. The defendants knowingly and voluntarily participated in a scheme to
unlawfully violate the applicable state statutes, Rules and Regulations of the Board of
Fire and Police Commissioners and applicable federal and state constitutional
protections, by failing to follow the prescribed processes leading up to, during the August
6, 2020 Board meeting and thereafter.
21

94. The above unlawful concerted action deprived Plaintiff of his contractual
and due process property rights to his rightful position as Chief of Police until the
contractual expiration of January 8, 2024.
COUNT IV
Interference with Contract and Prospective Economic Advantage
97. Plaintiff had an expectancy to maintain his Police Chief position until
January 8, 2024, pursuant to contract.
98. The defendants knew that Plaintiff had an employment contract for a
period of four years, ending January 8, 2024.
99. The defendants purposefully interfered with and prevented the Plaintiff's
legitimate expectance of fulfilling his contract by summarily and illegally removing him
as Police Chief in August 2020, in contravention of his rights under the contract and
applicable laws.
100. As a result of the named defendants' purposeful interference, Plaintiff was
wrongfully demoted and was deprived his due process.
101. As a result of the named defendants’ continuing and purposeful denial of
Plaintiff’s contractual and legal right, their continuing refusal to abide by court orders
reversing the August 2020 removal and reinstating Plaintiff as Chief of Police, and the
22

resulting public and media controversy created and abetted by defendants’ actions,
Plaintiff has and will suffer a significant loss of economic opportunity, including future
employment.
COUNT V
State Statutory and Constitutional Law Claims
104. The defendants had a duty to comply with applicable state statutes under
Wis. Stat. Chap. 62, along with applicable Rules and Regulations of
the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and under the state constitution.
105. The defendants violated the statutes applicable to Plaintiff Morales, Rules
and Regulations of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and state constitutional
due process rights by summarily removing him as Chief of Police and demoting him to
Captain in August 2020, and by their continuing to refuse to follow state court orders to
reinstate him as Chief.
106. As a result of the named defendants' complete disregard and violation of
applicable state statutes and the provisions of Chap. 62 noted above, the Rules and
Regulations of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the City of Milwaukee, and
state constitutional guarantees of due process, notice, and the right to a fair hearing before
23

an impartial tribunal, the Plaintiff was wrongfully removed as Chief of Police and
demoted.
COUNT VI
Defamation
109. The defendants made false statements about the Plaintiff, including
statements released by the Board and its Chairperson on and after August 6, 2020.
110. The defendants’ false statements include, but are not limited to, stating that
the Plaintiff lied, is unprofessional, insubordinate, lacks leadership and unwilling to
cooperate.
111. The defendants communicated these false statements about the Plaintiff to
an unknown number of third parties and to local media, press releases, conducting
related press conferences regarding the misinformation and their continued opposition
and defiance of the decisions and orders of Circuit Court Judge Foley.
112. The false statements about the Plaintiff made by the defendants were
defamatory.
113. As a direct result of defendants’ past and continuing conduct, Plaintiff has
suffered significant injuries and damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
24

COUNT VII
Breach of Contract Claim
115. The parties entered into a contract of employment dated December 18, 2019,
for the appointment of plaintiff to the Office of Chief of Police for the City of Milwaukee
Police Department for a term commencing on January 8, 2020 and expiring on January 8,
2024.
116. The Plaintiff performed his obligations under the terms of the contract.
117. The defendants breached the contract by unilaterally and unlawfully
removing Plaintiff Morales from his position as Chief of Police without due process on
August 6, 2020, prior to the contract term’s expiration.
118. As a direct and proximate result of defendants’ breach of contract, Plaintiff
has suffered significant injuries and damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
COUNT VIII
Wrongful Discharge Claim
120. The parties entered into a contract of employment dated December 18, 2019,
for the appointment of Plaintiff to the Office of Chief of Police for the City of Milwaukee
Police Department for a term commencing on January 8, 2020, and to serve as Chief of
Police until its expiration on January 8, 2024.
121. The Plaintiff performed his obligations under the terms of the contract.
25

122. The defendants unilaterally breached the contract by unlawfully and
without cause removing Plaintiff Morales from his position as Chief of Police, and
demoting him to Captain, without due process on August 6, 2020, prior to the contract
term expiration.
123. The Plaintiff was unlawfully removed from his position as Chief of Police
by the defendants for retaliatory, unreasonable and otherwise malicious motivations and
without good cause.
124. As a direct and proximate result of defendants’ intentional breach of
contract and wrongful removal of the Plaintiff from his position as Chief of Police, and
constructive discharge, Plaintiff has been significantly injured and suffered damages in
an amount to be determined at trial.
COUNT IX
Retaliation Claim
126. The past and continuing actions of the defendants in not abiding by the
state court’s orders finding their actions in removing the Plaintiff as Chief of Police,
demoting him and continuing to refuse to reinstate him when so ordered, has and may
continue in the future to subject the Plaintiff to retaliation for exercising his statutory and
constitutional due process rights to appeal adverse, improper and illegal employment
actions, and his opposing such unlawful activity in the workplace, constitutes a violation
of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
26

127. Plaintiff engaged in protected activity by appealing his removal as Chief
without due process and his continuing demand that the defendants live up to their
obligations under the terms of the contract, which defendants refuse to do.
128. The Plaintiff was improperly and unlawfully removed as Chief of Police by
the defendants, without due process of any sort being afforded, and for retaliatory,
unreasonable and otherwise malicious motivations without just cause.
129. As a direct and proximate result of defendants’ wrongful termination of the
Plaintiff, Plaintiff has been significantly injured and suffered damages in an amount to
be determined at trial.
COUNT X
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
131. The above conduct of the defendants was intentional and/or was
committed with willful and wanton disregard for Plaintiff's rights.
132. Said actions by the defendants were extreme and outrageous and caused
Plaintiff to suffer severe emotional distress.
133. As a direct and proximate result of defendants’ conduct, Plaintiff has
suffered damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
COUNT XI
Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
27

135. The above conduct of the defendants was negligent.
136. Said actions by the defendants were extreme and outrageous and caused
Plaintiff and his immediate family to suffer severe emotional distress.
137. As a direct and proximate result of defendants’ conduct, Plaintiff and his
family have suffered injuries and damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
COUNT XII
Respondeat Superior
139. In committing the acts alleged in the preceding paragraphs, the defendants
were employees and/or appointees of the City of Milwaukee, and at all relevant times
acting within the scope of their employment or appointment.
140. Defendant City of Milwaukee is liable as principal for all state law torts
committed by the named defendant employees and appointees, and is also liable to
indemnify them for all judgments against the Board and the individual defendants
pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 895.46.
COUNT XIII
Punitive Damages
28

143. The conduct of the defendants was malicious, willful and wanton and in an
intentional disregard of the Plaintiff’s rights and has caused him significant injuries and
damages. Plaintiff Morales is therefore entitled to punitive damages pursuant to Wis.
Stats. § 895.043.
NOW, WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Alfonso Morales demands judgment against the
defendants, jointly and severally, for the following relief:
A. Compensatory damages against each and every one of the defendants, in
an amount to be determined at a trial of this matter;
B. Punitive damages against the individual defendants, in an amount to be
determined at a trial of this matter;
C. Indemnification and payment by the City for all judgments against the
Board and the individual defendants pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 895.46;
D. All costs, disbursements and actual attorneys’ fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §
1988;
E. Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and equitable.
JURY DEMAND
Plaintiff hereby demands a jury trial of this matter on all issues so triable.
Dated this 15th day of June, 2021.
GIMBEL, REILLY, GUERIN & BROWN LLP
By:
/s/Franklyn M. Gimbel
FRANKLYN M. GIMBEL
State Bar No. 1008413
fgimbel@grgblaw.com
29

By:
/s/Raymond M. Dall’Osto
RAYMOND M. DALL’OSTO
dallosto@grgblaw.com
By:
/s/Jaclyn C. Kallie
JACLYN C. KALLIE
jkallie@grgblaw.com
By:
/s/Brianna J. Meyer
BRIANNA J. MEYER
bmeyer@grgblaw.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff Alfonso Morales
POST OFFICE ADDRESS:
330 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 1170

Telephone: 414/271-1440
Fax: 414/271-7680
30

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 1 of 30 Document 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 1 of 30 Document 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 1 of 30 Document 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN

BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 1 of 30 Document 1

Members of City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission,

NOW COMES Plaintiff Alfonso Morales, by his attorneys, Franklyn M. Gimbel,

for relief, alleges and shows to the Court as follows:

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

Plaintiff’s Federal Civil Rights by the defendants.

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 2 of 30 Document 1

4. Plaintiff Alfonso Morales is an adult citizen and resident of the State of

employing him as Chief of Police.

5. Defendant City of Milwaukee (“City”) is a municipal corporation and

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 3 of 30 Document 1

injuries and damages to Morales.

6. Defendant Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (“the Board”) is a

municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Wisconsin, City of

7. Defendant Griselda Aldrete is an adult citizen and resident of the State of

8. Defendant Steven Devougas is an adult citizen and resident of the State of

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 4 of 30 Document 1

Wisconsin, residing at 3131 W. McKinley Boulevard, #3133, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53208,

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 5 of 30 Document 1

14. Defendant Raymond Robakowski is an adult citizen and resident of the

FACTS COMMON TO ALL CLAIMS

15. Plaintiff realleges paragraph nos. 1 through 14 of this complaint as though

fully set forth herein.

retirement of former Chief Edward Flynn.

18. On December 16, 2019, then Board chairperson Steven DeVougas

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 6 of 30 Document 1

Police Commissioners voted to reappoint Morales to serve a four-year term, successive

to his completion of Flynn’s term.

Milwaukee Ordinance 312-01, in accord with Wis. Stat. § 62.50(6).

government services operational.

requiring a police response in the City and throughout the nation.

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 7 of 30 Document 1

arrest of Milwaukee Bucks basketball player Sterling Brown.

confrontation outside of a Walgreen’s in January 2018, which actions resulted in a federal

No. 18-CV-922 (E.D. Wis.).

directives for Police Chief Alfonso Morales.”

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 8 of 30 Document 1

by the Board, including discharge, suspension, or reduction in rank, pursuant to Sec.

62.50 Wis. Stats.”

which had not been done previously.

remaining directives would be unchanged.

directive to disclose such information, but the Mayor took no action.

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 9 of 30 Document 1

release of which information could compromise those matters.

the afternoon of August 6, 2020.

40. Board Chairperson DeVougas’ comments reflected his animus towards

continued employment as Chief of Police.

“dismissal, demotion, licensing, or discipline of Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 10 of 30 Document 1

at which time evidence would be presented in support of specific allegations, as is

States and Wisconsin Constitutions.

44. No filing or service of a complaint or notice of charges against Chief

rendering their summary removal and demotion decision.

Case 2:21-cv-00732-LA Filed 06/15/21 Page 11 of 30 Document 1

to demote him to Captain.