www.recallforjustice.com October 2019
Issue 101
WHY IS THERE A RECALL ON D. A. TRISH HANSON?
RACINE, WI – Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson is facing accusations of selective justice and impropriety as activists rally to strip her of her position. Michael Burmeister, a community organizer, has begun a petition to remove Hanson from her office. The call for Hanson’s removal comes in the wake of her decision that Mount Pleasant Police Officer Eric Giese was justified in his use of deadly force against Tyrese West, 18, during his attempt to arrest West on the morning of June 15. According to a statement released by the District Attorney, she determined that
“Sergeant Giese’s actions in this case fall under the privilege of self-defense,” and as such, “Officer Giese will not face the scrutiny of a grand jury or face trial as a result of Patricia Hanson making the call of “privilege of self defense” on her own without collaborative evidence.
In a separate incident, Burmeister also wanted Hanson to press charges against the driver who rear-ended his aunt and uncle on May 25, 2018. The crash killed both Phillip and Nadine Burmeister, of Racine, who were riding their three-wheeler. Dan Burmeister, Michael’s father, said the driver had only been issued a traffic citation for inattentive driving.Letter from my Dad on his own experience with DA Hanson’s selective justice (specifically, how she denied it to Uncle Phil and Aunt Nadine):
Reason #1 to Recall Racine DA Patricia ‘Trish’ Hanson Greetings, As has been reported, my son, Michael Burmeister, has initiated a recall petition against Racine District Attorney Tricia Hanson. He initiated his efforts because of the shooting of Ty’ Rese West. There is a prior situation involving the this same DA’s office I wish to make you more aware of. On May 25, 2018, my brother and his wife, Phil & Nadine Burmeister of Racine, were riding their 3 wheeled Harley-Davidson west on Hwy 20 (Spring Street) to Chocolate Fest in Burlington. While they were stopped to make a left turn, their motorcycle was read-ended, they were projected into oncoming traffic, and run over. They were both killed on the spot. My brother’s body was not recognizable. The driver that hit them made no attempt to stop. Several months later, after had I acquired the accident report, I contacted the DA’s office to find out why no charges were filed. The driver had only been issued a citation for inattentive driving. When I first contacted the DA’s office, I was informed that the Sheriff ’s Department had not referred the case to them, and they recommended I contact the Sheriff ’s Department directly. When I contacted the Sheriff ’s Department, I learned that they had been directed by the DA’s office not to refer the case. The DA’s office was dishonest with me implying it had been the Sheriff ’s Department decision not to refer the case, when it fact DA’s office had made that decision. I then emailed the DA’s office again and got no response. The citation that was issued, inattentive driving, would be more appropriate for hitting a rural mailbox. My brother and his wife’s deaths were treated as minor property damage. I contacted the DA’s office in the name of Phil’s surviving 3 brothers looking for answers. She has refused to respond. As the only remaining brother who still lives in Racine, I felt it was my responsibility to try and get some answers. I have gotten none. I have only found that I have a District Attorney who has long forgotten her duty to serve the public. I have also found her heartless in that she never even extended the common courtesy to say she was sorry about the death of my family members. To me, this directly indicates the type of person she is. Tricia Hanson is unfit to hold public office No elected official should be this callous to their constituency. She should never hold any position of public trust again and needs to be removed from office as soon as possible. Sincerely, Dan Burmeister Racine, WI.”
Reason #2 to Recall Racine DA Patricia ‘Trish’ Hanson On February 6, 2018, via the Racine Journal Times, Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson proclaimed that free speech was being actively monitored and scrunized in a new wave of surveillance and spying by City and County offcials February 6, 2018, when Meshach J. Smith, 21 of Union Grove made his initial court appearance in Racine, charged with making terroristic threats. His ‘threats’ were a Facebook post which read: “If I hear one more joke about me being black ” Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson said that most people should know what they should and shouldn’t post on social media already. “We hope people appreciate that you can’t post whatever you want on social media without consequences,” she said.
Hanson considers most citizens criminals and has promoted and used hi-tech surveillance and monitoring of everyone on social media like Facebook. Campaign for Confident Justice, Carrie Glenn, Treasurer
Reason #3 to Recall Racine DA Patricia ‘Trish’ Hanson
Reason #4 to Recall Racine DA Patricia ‘Trish’ Hanson DA Hanson has allowed repeated coverups of corruption including crimes of those sworn to protect and serve
D. A. Rich Chiapete would find himself fleeing the scene of an accident, concealing himself from the Police, changing his clothes in an attempt to disguise himself, lying repeatedly to the Police On April 4, 2014, Racine District Attorney Rich Chiapete crashed his wife’s vehicle while drunk and fled the scene. After police made contact with Chiapete, they administered a preliminary breath test at 12:02 a.m. which indicated he had a .159 blood alcohol content, nearly two times the legal limit When police brought Chiapete to the police station for an official breath test, he said he would rather have a blood test. They then brought him to Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints hospital, but there he refused the blood test too. After Racine police officers arrested and cited Chiapete for OWI, “duty upon striking property,” “hitand-run on/or adjacent highway,” and for leaving the scene of a crime. 17 days later, Kenosha Municipal Judge Michael Easton rubber-stamped the proposed settlement agreement of the Chiapete case. And although Chiapete walked away with just a slap to the wrist, Hanson quietly promoted former DA Richard Chiapete as Deputy Attorney General. She even admitted on camera that he had, in fact, committed multiple crimes, yet did nothing. DA Hanson refused to prosecute him or his wife for lying to police, damage to property, or endangering public safety. And although Trish Hanson claimed that all the documents relating to the Chiapete case were “locked away,” any citizen had access to this information.
This is screenshot taken from CCAP showing the results for a records search of William Richard Chiapete.
The people of Racine County have historically been hard working, honest, generous and loyal. But perhaps our greatest failing has been our tendency to place trust in people who have not earned it, and in fact abuse it.
Sheriff’s Lieutenant Chad Schulman The circumstances surrounding Lt. Schulman’s untruthful statements involve a significant amount of money that went missing after it was collected from the body of a deceased male. Some $11,000 went missing during a death investigation in Racine. In a June 18, 2018 official letter from the Walworth County DA’s office, they admitted that-when questioned, Racine Sheriff ’s Lieutenant Chad Schulman, who was
The Schulman matter was resolved with his resignation and an ordinance citation for providing a pharmacy service without a pharmacist.” present at the scene, made untruthful statements regarding the missing money.
The money had been inventoried by Schulman yet went missing. They wrote to Racine DA Patricia Hanson and Racine Sheriff Christopher Schmaling: “I have reviewed the evidence of untruthful statements made by Racine County Sheriff ’s Department Lt. Chad Schulman. [...] The circumstances surrounding Lt. Schulman’s untruthful statements involve a significant amount of money that went missing after it was collected from the body of a deceased male. Lt. Schulman handled the money at the crime scene prior to the money being placed into an evidence bag and logged into evidence at the Racine County Sheriff ’s Office. [...] During the investigation [he] was voluntarily interviewed twice in the presence of his attorney. [...] Lt. Schulman stated during the first interview that the medical examiner arrived on the scene. This statement was later shown to be false by phone records. [...] Although these were the only statements that I identified as untruthful in my review of the reports, there are other potentially untruthful statements contained throughout the reports....” In a December 2, 2018 RJT article, it was stated that Lieutenant Schulman was allowed to resign and additionally-in a September 15, 2019 RJT article, it was noted that Schulman was cited for an unrelated charge. The Walworth DA wrote: “I am writing this letter to advise you that the investigation into Chad Schulman has been completed, and the matter was resolved with his resignation and an ordinance citation for providing a pharmacy service without a pharmacist.” Racine DA Trish Hanson and Sheriff Schmaling both failed to properly discipline Lt. Schulman. Crimes that would lead to our assured-arrest and prosecution are being allowed to slide and are lacking accountability.
Reason #5 to Recall Racine DA Patricia ‘Trish’ Hanson
Reason #6 to Recall Racine DA Patricia ‘Trish’ Hanson Racine District Attorney Tricia Hanson has shockingly dismissed 13 counts in total, including four counts of battery by prisoner, four counts of disorderly conduct, and two counts of criminal damage to property which allegedly took place on Dec. 22, 2016 against Racine resident Luis C. Granados Jr. But the case gained attention this week after conservative radio host Mark Belling, whose afternoon radio show is broadcast on WISN (1130 AM), began lambasting the DA’s office for its decision.
Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson announced that no charges will be filed against Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin Police Sgt. Eric Giese for the shooting of 18-year-old Ty’Rese West. According to a statement released by the District Attorney, she determined that “Sergeant Giese’s actions in this case fall under the privilege of self-defense,” and as such, “Officer Giese will not face the scrutiny of a grand jury or face trial as a result of Patricia Hanson making the call of “privilege of self defense” on her own without collaborative evidence. However, Ty’Rese’s family says the fight isnt over. “I want a thorough investigation done, and also to see Eric Giese locked up,” West’s father, Dwight Person said.
SEEKING JUSTICE Addressing Prosecutorial Misconduct Reason #7 to Recall Racine DA Patricia ‘Trish’ Hanson
The Racine County Sheriff ’s Office recommended 14 felony charges against Kenosha City Administrator Frank Pacetti and IT Director Merrill “Tig” Kerkman. This is the result of a 2014 IT Investigation. Racine District Attorney Patricia Hanson won’t charge them and won’t say why. Despite a police report finding cause to recommend felony counts against two city of Kenosha officials, it appears they won’t be facing any charges after all.
This officer killed 18-year-old Tyrese West execution-style and was justified by the Racine DA. Officer Giese stoped Tyrese for riding a bike without headlights on June 15, 2019. Giese says Tyrese had a gun but his DNA was not found on the gun. His fingerprints were not found on the gun, the officer did not have on his body cam, no dash camera footage. Officer didn’t call for back up. Giese said Tyrese tossed the gun with two hands, DA Hanson’s current term has shown that she but none of his DNA or fingerprints were found on the gun? Gieseis is also responsible for the narrative that is being broadcasted engages in the practice of selective justice to by the news media. He made sure there was no evidence other than his protect her friends. explanation of events. Giese also has a past of citizens reporting him for unlawful behavior. Mt Pleasant officer Eric Giese returned to full duty and In email correspondence late is working at a High School around teens. last week with former alderman Hanson detailed the events that took place on June 15 in a 23-page report, Kevin Mathewson, Racine County explaining why she came to the decision not to press charges against the District Attorney Patricia Hanson, officer. without explaining her rationale, indicated she will not file charges against City Administrator Frank Pacetti and IT Director Merril Officer Giese “Tig” Kerkman. Racine DA won’t press felony charges against stoped Tyrese for riding a bike without headlights on June 15, 2019. Giese says Tyrese had a gun but his DNA was not found on the gun. His fingerprints were not found on the gun.
Pacetti, IT director kenosha news Oct 8, 2018
Hanson has not spoken publicly about the case since the Racine County Sheriff ’s Office completed its investigation in 2014 and turned it over to the Racine County District Attorney’s Office. Bell’s unarmed son was fatally shot by a Kenosha police officer in 2004 while scuffling with several officers. He believes some of the deleted emails are linked to what he has argued is an official cover-up of the KPD and Kenosha District Attorney’s Office investigations into his son’s death.
Equality of Opportunity Racine has been rated to be the second worst city in the entire nation for Black people to live! Racine is not what equal opportunity looks like. We need serious reform of both law enforcement and our judicial system. There are many good people, honorable people, who work in those systems, but until the problem causers are removed, we cannot have equality of opportunity Campaign for Confident Justice, Carrie Glenn, Treasurer
Sign the petition to Recall Racine DA Patricia ‘Trish’ Hanson www.recallforjustice.com campaign for confident justice Facebook
What Went Wrong With Racine’s Machinery Row?
What went wrong with Machinery Row? @ youtube
Reason #8 to Recall Racine DA Patricia ‘Trish’ Hanson
DA Hanson has a two-tiered legal system, where poverty has been criminalized and the well connected are above the law. Racine, WI, Jun 10, 2014: The Machinery Row redevelopment project was announced by Mayor John Dickert, Cory Mason and other city and county officials. A 20-acre, former manufacturing site in the heart of the city was to be transformed into higher-end, market-rate apartments, as well as stores, restaurants and other commercial space. The Machinery Row project was conceived following the introduction of Rodney Blackwell Financial District Properties (FDP) to Mayor John Dickert by Cory Mason, Wisconsin State Assemblyman from Racine. Blackwell/FDP was never able to secure the financing on the Machinery Row project and on Sept. 25th of 2014, James Bowman (of FDP) sent an email to Rick Olsen (owner of some of the property to be included in the project) that the options to purchase, which were due to expire on Oct. 9th, would not be renewed. FDP has thus announced their intention to walk away from the project and essentially the death of the project. Dickert and Mason and their team were unwilling to allow this to happen, and they hatched an illegal conspiracy to prevent it. On November 21st, six weeks after Blackwell walked away from the project the project is mysteriously renewed and on December 17,2014, the Racine City Council loans $4.5 million-dollar loan to Blackwell. However, Blackwell only pays $4,050.00 to the sellers of the properties but kickbacks $450,000 to the City/ Dickert/Mason team which puts the money into a secret account and pays Blackwell and his team $125,000 to become the front man or straw-man for Machinery Row. WHY, because the Dickert/Mason team wants the property but if the city buys the properties the city must by state law relocate the owners and tenants’ that reside on the purchased properties. The city also has Blackwell sign over the deed (title) to the properties to them. Blackwell (FDP) is now payed $125,000 to be the strawman for the City/Dickert /Mason team and is used as a puppet to act to taxpayer, city alderman and the public as a real developer of Machinery Row when in reality the City/Dickert/Mason team is the real owners. They then have Blackwell act again as a straw-man to the Wisconsin Department of Resources (DNR) to acquire $470.000 grant monies so they can pay property taxes and liens that are being attached to the properties. After alderman Sandy Weidner calls them out on the fraud, she is accused of releasing city emails and is taken to court to keep the cover-up going. A local citizen Dennis Montey files a criminal complaint with Racine County Sheriff Chris Schmaling and District Attorney Trisha Hanson (17-00217) only to have them also cover it up. The failed project has cost the reidents of Racine County over 10 million in intergovermental funds (from water and sewer money)
To intentionally and materially falsify those representations in order to persuade the City of Racine to make a $4.5 M loan they would not otherwise make is a textbook case of FRAUD, MISCONDUCT IN PUBLIC OFFICE and MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS. Dennis Montey It is obvious that Blackwell/FDP was a straw-man for Representative Cory Mason, Mayor John Dickert and City’s Legal Department to give a “Taxpayer Loan” to Blackwell/FDP ($4.5m) with a secret escrow account that would pay for the interest on the loan and forward monies to the developer to make it appear that activity was on track at Machinery Row. This fraudulent activity was deliberately kept from the taxpayers and their elected officials and has exposed the taxpayer to $10M in financial liabilities. To intentionally and materially falsify those representations in order to persuade the City of Racine to make a loan they would not otherwise make is a textbook case of FRAUD, MISCONDUCT IN PUBLIC OFFICE and MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS. District Attorney Trisha Hanson and Racine County Sheriff Chris Schmaling have decided to cover up their friends’ criminal activities. But for Racine County, the public, the City of Racine taxpayer and the victims of the fraud and theft they have decided NOT to uphold the laws and Constitution of the State of Wisconsin and the United States Constitution, or to provide for the safety of the public, to protect the rights of crime victims, and to pursue justice.
Hanson and Schmaling has intentionally ignored serious criminal complaints against public officials for millions of dollars of misappropriated taxpayer money. Campaign for Confident Justice, Carrie Glenn, Treasurer