Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney says his office did not find evidence of a state ethics violation in relation to fees paid for a lawsuit involving city council member Patrick Mullen. However, Toney says that the city recognizes someone as an elected official once they file nomination papers, and the state definition is once someone is elected. So his office is referring the findings back to the Fond du Lac City Attorney’s office to see if a second look is warranted. The investigation, which was conducted by the West Bend police department. The investigation uncovered that a $36,407.34 payment of legal fees by a Political Action Committee was a financial benefit for Mr. Mullen based on his marriage to Mary Hayes and her financial responsibility for the legal fees for a lawsuit filed by a group of citizens for a writ of mandamus, if not paid. The payment of the fees, also based on the investigation, showed no evidence of any influence, action, inaction or promises regarding the proposed development at Lakeside Park. Click here for the audio of the full press conference.
