The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner claims he was threatened over the phone by the Milwaukee County Sheriff.
Doctor Brian Peterson felt the need to notify his supervisor, County Executive Chris Abele about the matter. The email exposes details of the phone conversation in which he claims to have been 'verbally pummeled' by Sheriff David Clarke. The county executive's office called the accusations disturbing.
"Obviously it's very upsetting to hear any kind of allegation about this kind of behavior," said County Executive Communications Director Melissa Baldauff.
Peterson said Clarke had three issues with the M.E.'s office starting with a tweet. The email said Clarke accused him of "political activism" for tweeting about an inmate death in late October. Clark claimed that the tweet included that it was the fourth Milwaukee County Jail death in 2016. Peterson pointed out that it did not. Peterson said the information was shared like that of any other non-disclosure case.
Clarke's second issue was about the same inmate death. Clarke was allegedly frustrated that the M.E.'s office did not tell him when the autopsy results were to be released. Peterson says he followed protocol by informing the investigating agency, in this case, the Milwaukee Police Department.
Lastly, Clarke was allegedly upset the M.E.'s office did not respond to General Mitchell Airport in early October to rule out issues in the death of an 89-year-old man. Peterson said the elderly man had a well-established medical history -- noting he was in "do not resuscitate" status. Clarke allegedly concluded the conversation by asking Peterson who he was licensed through to have it revoked.
"It would definitely impact his ability to do his job as the M.E. for the county," Baldauff explained.
Clarke claims to have recorded the heated conversation. Now, the County Executive is asking for a copy.
"We absolutely want to get to the bottom of this," said Baldauff.
TODAY’S TMJ4 reached out to Clarke to hear his side. He responded 'no, thanks'.
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