By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News Two formal complaints have now been submitted to state authorities regarding a campaign mailer distributed by the Friends of John Nelson committee to households across Franklin. The complaints—filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission and the Wisconsin Elections Commission —allege that the mailer contains a false statement presented to voters as fact , along with additional misrepresentations about the nature of published materials. Copies of both complaints have also been provided to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for Public Integrity review . At the center of both complaints is a single, explicit claim printed on the mailer: “ENDORSED BY BUSALACCHI” In context, that statement refers to an alleged endorsement of John Nelson’s opponent, Basil Ryan . That statement is false. I did not endorse Basil Ryan—or any candidate. As of this week, the race has further changed with former Franklin Mayor ...

By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News A review of public records, court filings, and official complaints raises questions the mailer does not answer. A political mailer— authorized and paid for by Friends of John Nelson —was sent to every household in Franklin. That mailer makes a direct claim: that I endorsed a political candidate. That claim is false. I did not endorse any candidate. For the record, I am not running for Mayor—I am responding because the truth matters. This is about whether residents can review public records and ask questions without being misrepresented or targeted. And more importantly, the mailer does not address the documented information it is trying to discredit. WHAT I ACTUALLY DID I helped produce an informational publication. It did not endorse any candidate. That publication was based entirely on: Public records Court filings Police reports Verified media sources Every statement included citations and supporting documentation m...

By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi Franklin Community News FRANKLIN, Wis. — As the proposed Poth’s General development (Former Sentry - TID 10) advances through the City of Franklin approval process, a central question has emerged: Should Mayor John Nelson have recused himself from voting on the project? Public records, campaign finance filings, and meeting votes now place that question squarely in front of residents, policymakers, and potentially investigators. On March 19, 2026, a formal recusal demand and request for investigation was submitted to Mayor John Nelson, the Common Council, City Attorney, and the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit — with a clear request: read it into the record at that night’s Planning Commission meeting . It wasn’t. Instead, the meeting proceeded without acknowledging a filing that directly challenges the integrity of the decision-making process. The complaint lays out a straightforward fact pattern: campaign contributions from Pot...