Alderwoman says open-records contempt hearing postponed

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Racine alderwoman says a judge has postponed her contempt hearing.

Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz had scheduled a closed hearing on Tuesday to decide whether to hold Sandy Weidner in contempt because she had complained to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about his decision to seal her open-records lawsuit.

Weidner said the judge opened the hearing to the public on Tuesday at the Journal Sentinel’s request but postponed proceedings until Oct. 3 so Weidner could find a new attorney.

Weidner says her attorney, Mark Hinkston, decided to stop representing her.

She says Hinkston gave her an explanation but she didn’t understand it. Hinkston didn’t immediately reply to a message on Tuesday.

Weidner sued last year demanding copies of emails Racine City Attorney Scott Letteney alleged she had sent to constituents in violation of attorney-client privilege.