MILWAUKEE – Steven DeVougas, former chairman and current member of Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission, will be the featured guest at a virtual event set for noon on Thursday, September 17. This Newsmaker Lunch Hour is presented by a partnership between the Milwaukee Press Club and WisPolitics.com.
DeVougas, founder of DeVougas Law Group in Milwaukee, has faced broad criticism in recent months for his own actions and for the commission’s controversial dealings with former Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales.
Morales retired last month and is pursuing legal action after the FPC voted unanimously to demote him to the rank of captain, with some commissioners contending he had failed to work with the FPC and had lied to them and the public.
DeVougas currently is the subject of an investigation by the City of Milwaukee Ethics Board, launched after the Milwaukee Police Association filed a complaint against him. The complaint raised concerns about his being present at a 2019 police interview of a real estate developer accused of sexual assault because DeVougas then was chairman of the FPC, which has oversight for the Police Department.
A separate independent investigation conducted by a retired assistant U.S. Attorney and a former FBI agent found that DeVougas lied about his representation of the real estate developer and likely violated city ethics rules.
DeVougas has denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to remain in his position on the FPC despite calls for him to step down.
He will field questions from a panel of journalists from noon to 1 p.m., moderated by Milwaukee Press Club President Gene Mueller, host of Wisconsin’s Morning News at News Radio 620 WTMJ.
The media panel:
Ashley Luthern – Reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ryan Jenkins – Reporter, TMJ4 – WTMJ TV
Derrick Rose – Anchor/Investigative Reporter, WISN TV
You must register in advance to view this event. Those who register will receive a link on the morning of the event to view it live.
The Milwaukee Press Club’s Newsmaker Luncheon Series is underwritten by presenting sponsor Spectrum News 1 and sustaining sponsor Mueller QAAS, LLC.
WisPolitics.com partners with the press club for this luncheon as part of its ongoing event series in Milwaukee, sponsored by UW-Milwaukee, Wisconsin Academy of Global Education and Training, ELEVEN25 at Pabst, Milwaukee Police Association, The Firm Consulting, Medical College of Wisconsin and Spectrum.
Questions? Please contact Joette Richards, Milwaukee Press Club executive director, at joette@milwaukeepressclub.org or call 262-894-2224.