Judge sets hearing date for contractor accused of theft

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The felony theft case against Milwaukee contractor Homer Key is scheduled for an Aug. 20 hearing to set a trial date.

Key’s attorney, Rocky Coe, said the 8:30 a.m. hearing will be heard by Milwaukee County Circuit Judge William Brash and will be used to set a trial date.

Coe said the court Wednesday modified a no-contact order set in June to allow Key and Freida Webb, the former head of Milwaukee County’s Office of Community Business Development Partners, to talk to each other. CBDP oversees the county’s disadvantaged business enterprise program.

Key and Webb are facing felony charges stemming from an alleged conspiracy to steal federal grant money.

Key is charged with forgery, conspiracy to commit the crime of having a private interest in a public contract and two counts of theft by fraud, according to court documents. Those charges carry a maximum of $70,000 in fines and 29-½ years in prison.

Webb is charged with felony misconduct, forgery, theft and having a private interest in a public contract. Those charges carry a maximum of $55,000 in fines and 23 years in prison.

Webb’s attorney, Rodney Cubbie, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.