Local residents submitted open records requests regarding communications between Mayor Sorenson, Adam Westbrook, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence on June 28, 2024, and August 5, 2024.
Mayor Sorenson never acknowledged the requests, while Human Resources Director Kelly Hendee did. This site reported multiple times on the city’s long delay in complying with the request.
After 242 days, Assistant City Attorney Liz Majerus fulfilled the request.
Mayor Sorenson received three emails from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, but these records were withheld until two days after he won reelection.
On March 26, 2025, Assistant City Attorney Majerus emailed a resident stating that Mayor Sorenson did not have records responsive to the request. Majerus claimed the IT Department would need to access former employee accounts to check for records related to former HR Director Adam Westbrook.
She also stated that the IT Department could not address this due to their focus on the October ransomware attack.
Why did Majerus state, six days before the election, that Mayor Sorenson had no records responsive to this request?
Sorenson received multiple emails from Sister Aidie H. Dee on July 17, 2023, informing him that the City Attorney, Chuck Adams, was also copied. Sister Dee communicated with Westbrook regarding local residents’ concerns about Mayor Sorenson’s ethics violations.
On July 17, 2023, Sorenson received the statement from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and Westbrook completed his ethics investigation of Sorenson on July 26, 2023.
With Sorenson involved in the ethics investigation and receiving the same communications as Westbrook, who was conducting the investigation, does this raise concerns about the validity of the investigation?
Sorenson was sworn in with an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, the Wisconsin Constitution, and to faithfully execute the duties of his office.
Does hiding the release of these documents until after winning reelection seem like he honored his oath?
Sorenson’s failure to respond to open records requests until after his reelection calls into question his ethics.
Section 2-267: Responsibility of Public Officials and Employees states:
“Public officials and employees are agents of public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the state and carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state, and city, thus fostering respect for all government. They must observe the highest standards of morality and discharge faithfully the duties of their office, putting public interest first.”
Sorenson stated he did not have records responsive to this request. The records were withheld for 244 days and not released until after Sorenson won reelection.
Does this align with the highest standards of morality and the duties of his office?
Did Sorenson put public interest first or did Sorenson put his personal political issues first?
If you believe Mayor Sorenson violated ethics standards, email Committee of the Whole Chairman Grazia Perella.
Perella can be reached here: grazia.perrella@sheboyganwi.gov
Are you comfortable with another four years of disregard for public interest by Mayor Sorenson?
Why did Assistant City Attorney Liz Majerus state there were no records related to this request?
City Administrator Casey Bradley was also copied on emails from residents concerning the lack of responsiveness. If you have concerns about lack of transparency and why Casey Bradley, did not turn this over before the election, send him an email and ask him.
Bradley can be reached here: casey.bradley@sheboyganwi.gov b
TBS searched for information on Sister Aidie H. Dee but found nothing on the organization’s website. Why is the person representing the entire organization not featured?
Could Sister Dee be Preston Kite, who was sentenced to 65 years in prison for crimes against children and animals, and they removed the profile?
According to the ethics investigation conducted by Westbrook, he interviewed the man in the photo with Sorenson. Is that man Preston Kite?
Take Back Sheboygan County knows that many former and current City employees have been reluctant to share their stories for fear of retaliation. If you are one of these, we welcome you to contact us. Your name will not be shared without permission. You can contact us at https://takebacksheboygancounty.com/contact/.
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