Wausau Won’t Wait, Ethics Complaint Filed Against Mayor

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – Multiple residents file complaints on Mayor Doug Diny’s ballot box movement and want the ethics board to investigate and ensure accountability.

The elections may have passed but some actions taken before them, still linger here in central Wisconsin today.

8 Wausau citizens have filed a formal ethics complaint against Mayor Doug Diny with the City of Wausau Ethics Board.

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says their alleging improper conduct in his handling of the ballot drop box during the week of September 23rd, 2024. The complaint raises serious concerns about potential violations of local ethics codes and federal voting rights laws.

The complaint alleges that Mayor Diny exceeded his authority by removing a ballot drop box authorized by City Clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde, who is legally responsible for overseeing election-related decisions under Wisconsin law. By removing the drop box, Mayor Diny effectively prevented eligible voters from using it for approximately a week during a critical period leading up to the election.

“Acting under the color of law to prevent citizens from voting is not just unethical—it’s a crime,” the complaint states. “By preventing the use of a secure drop box during a critical voting period, Mayor Diny deprived voters of their ability to participate in the democratic process.”

In addition, the complaint alleges that Mayor Diny attempted to pressure the municipal clerk into drafting a resolution to ban ballot boxes.

The group has called on the Wausau Ethics Board to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and ensure accountability. “If an elected official is willing to tamper with a secure drop box once, how can we trust they won’t do it again?” the complaint concludes.

Nick Ramos from the WDC will be on The Chad Holmes Show on WXCO tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. to discuss this further.