Panel to consider settlement with Milwaukee County sheriff

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A Milwaukee County panel Thursday will consider a settlement with Sheriff David Clarke Jr. under which he would dismiss his appeals in five lawsuits against the county.

In exchange, according to a memo sent to supervisors, the county would pay $95,000 to cover Clarke’s legal fees from three of those cases. Clarke hired Milwaukee attorney Michael Whitcomb and has an outstanding bill of $149,225, according to the memo, but the county has negotiated to pay less than the full amount.

Under the agreement, Clarke would dismiss an appeal of a judge’s decision that the county could transfer control of the House of Correction to a superintendent. Clarke would also dismiss his appeals of decisions related to his attempt to lay off three captains, inmate health care, the use of private bailiffs and his attempt to file a criminal charge, according to the memo.

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors’ Judiciary, Safety and General Services Committee is expected to discuss the proposal at its regular meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday. The meeting will be held in room M210 of the Milwaukee campus of Milwaukee Area Technical College.

— Beth Kevit