Wisconsin Dem Nominee Approved Millions To Wife’s Employer
Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley approved millions in county funding for his wife’s employer before seeking ethics guidance.
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Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley personally approved millions of dollars in county funding for his wife’s employer before seeking guidance from the Milwaukee County Ethics Board, according to records reviewed by the Daily Caller.
Contract Increases and Ethics Concerns
Crowley’s signature appears on a series of contract approvals that increased Milwaukee County’s financial commitment to Community Advocates, a nonprofit employing his wife, Ericka Crowley, from $6.5 million to $17.85 million between 2020 and 2021.
Crowley, who became Milwaukee County Executive in May 2020, wrote to the Ethics Board in May 2021 about an upcoming rental assistance contract with Community Advocates, where his wife had begun working the previous year. He emphasized the county’s longstanding relationship with the organization, stating that his wife’s employment did not influence the decision.
However, records show he personally approved three increases to the nonprofit’s contract after his wife joined the organization. The original contract was awarded without competitive bidding during the pandemic, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.
Transparency and Disclosure
Crowley had previously disclosed his wife’s employment in an economic-interest statement received by Milwaukee County on Jan. 28, 2021. However, the filing did not establish whether Crowley had sought ethics guidance on his personal involvement in approving funding for his wife’s employer.
Crowley had already approved two contract increases before the disclosure was received and signed off on another $5.4 million increase in March, more than two months before contacting the Ethics Board about an upcoming agreement.
In his May letter, Crowley said he had consulted Milwaukee County Corporation Counsel, which advised that the upcoming contract was permissible. The letter did not indicate whether he had obtained similar guidance before approving the earlier funding increases.
Public Funding and Campaign Response
Since Crowley assumed office in 2020, Milwaukee County distributed more than $65 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds through its partnership with Community Advocates. His campaign spokesperson, Philip Shulman, stated that Community Advocates launched their rent help program before Crowley became County Executive and that every dollar was approved by the County Board in public.
Crowley’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller. He will face off against Republican gubernatorial nominee and current Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany in the general election on Nov. 3.
Source: Daily Caller
