Two Posts, Two Standards? Disorderly Conduct Citation Puts Nelson and Eichmann in Spotlight Before April Election
By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi
Franklin Community News
With Mayor John Nelson seeking reelection on April 7, a pending court challenge to a disorderly conduct citation and a recent social media post by Alderwoman Michelle Eichmann are fueling debate about how Franklin’s ordinance is enforced.
KEY FACTS
• A Franklin resident received a disorderly conduct citation after criticizing city officials online.
• Police reports documented no direct threat in the post.
• The citation is now under review through a Writ of Certiorari in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
• A recent Facebook post by Alderwoman Michelle Eichmann comparing an unnamed individual to Darrell Brooks and Timothy Olson prompted a new police report requesting review under the same ordinance.
• The post was later removed from Eichmann’s Facebook page.
• Mayor John Nelson is running for reelection on April 7 as the controversy unfolds.
• Nelson, Eichmann, and County Supervisor Steve Taylor have been named in a John Doe proceeding, while Nelson is reportedly under investigation by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit.
A Facebook post by Franklin Alderwoman Michelle Eichmann comparing an unnamed individual to Waukesha parade attacker Darrell Brooks has sparked a new police report and renewed debate over how the city’s disorderly conduct ordinance is enforced. The controversy comes as a disorderly conduct citation issued to Franklin resident Richard Busalacchi for a social media post criticizing city officials is currently under review in Milwaukee County Circuit Court through a writ of certiorari.
The dispute centers on a question now being raised by residents and legal filings alike: is Franklin’s disorderly conduct ordinance being applied consistently when residents criticize public officials versus when officials criticize residents? With Mayor John Nelson seeking reelection on April 7, the issue is unfolding in the final weeks of the campaign and has drawn renewed scrutiny of how the ordinance has been used in recent cases.
The Facebook Post
“Ever wonder about those who represent themselves? Darrell Brooks, Timothy Olson, and another IYKYK… All three have a lot in common sadly.”
Darrell Brooks is widely known for the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack, which resulted in multiple deaths and numerous injuries.
Several individuals later shared screenshots of the post with Busalacchi, expressing concern about the comparison. Busalacchi, who represented himself in the disorderly conduct case involving complaints from Eichmann and other officials, filed a police report requesting that the post be reviewed under the same ordinance that was applied in his own case.
Sometime after the police report was filed, the Facebook post was removed from Eichmann’s page.
Two Posts, Two Outcomes?
The disorderly conduct citation now under review in circuit court stemmed from a Facebook post discussing the philosophical concept of acting for the “greater good.”
Post That Led to the Citation
“‘For the greater good’ is a phrase that refers to the idea of doing something for the benefit of the public good. However, the phrase has been used to justify catastrophic events that have resulted in significant human suffering and death.
According to the Frontier Institute ‘Greater Good’ advocates believe that ‘an action is moral if it results in more good than harm. It’s okay to kill one man to save ten. It’s moral to commit one evil act as long as it’s in service of something noble. Throughout history, many catastrophic events have been justified in the name of the ‘greater good.’ These often resulted in significant human suffering and death.’
Sound familiar Franklin and Oak Creek… do you get the analogy to Taylor, Nelson, Eichmann, and Zimmerman?
Let’s work for the benefit of the residents of Franklin and Oak Creek who are represented by Steve F. Taylor — residents who deserve an honest, ethical, and transparent government. Not the Greater Good.”
Police reports from the incident state that no direct threat was made and indicate that the post was edited while the responding officer was present.
Recent Facebook Post by Alderwoman Michelle Eichmann
“Ever wonder about those who represent themselves? Darrell Brooks, Timothy Olson, and another IYKYK… All three have a lot in common sadly.”
The contrast between the two posts has now become central to the debate surrounding how Franklin’s ordinance is applied.
A Timeline That Raises Questions
Police records from the earlier case indicate that the matter initially appeared resolved.
According to the police report, the responding officer documented that Eichmann indicated she was satisfied after the post was edited.
The following day, however, the situation changed.
The police report indicates that Mayor John Nelson asked the reporting officer to come to his office to discuss the matter.
During that conversation Nelson expressed concern about the post and suggested enforcement action. The report reflects that Nelson advised the officer:
“If I were in your shoes, I’d write up State DC and Bail Jumping.”
The officer was also directed to contact Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor regarding the issue.
After those conversations, the matter was reopened and ultimately resulted in the issuance of a disorderly conduct citation.
A Pattern of Citations
The case is not the only instance in which Franklin residents have received disorderly conduct citations after criticizing city leadership.
Previous reporting has identified several residents who were cited after speaking out against city officials, including:
• Richard Busalacchi
• Doug Malinovich
• Bob Swendrowski
• Marcus Christi
In at least one case, police reports documented that no direct threat had been made, yet enforcement actions proceeded.
Busalacchi’s citation is now the subject of the pending writ of certiorari in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, where the court will review whether the municipal tribunal properly applied the ordinance. The timing has prompted some residents to ask why such a post would be made while the underlying citation is still being reviewed by the courts.
Disputed “Stalking” Claims
Another point of dispute involves repeated public references to “stalking.”
However, an open records response from the Greendale Police Department dated February 5, 2026 indicates that a review of Greendale police records found no police reports, citations, charges, warnings, arrests, or convictions indicating that Busalacchi has ever been cited or charged with stalking.
Any stalking allegations would normally appear in police records maintained by the department with jurisdiction over the reporting party.
Political Context
The controversy is unfolding just weeks before Franklin voters head to the polls.
Mayor John Nelson is currently running for re-election, with the mayoral election scheduled for April 7, less than three weeks away.
Ongoing Investigations
The situation is also unfolding against the backdrop of other ongoing matters involving Franklin officials.
According to public records and prior reporting, Mayor John Nelson is currently the subject of an investigation by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit.
In addition, Nelson, Steve Taylor, and Michelle Eichmann have been named in a John Doe proceeding.
Details of those matters remain limited because such investigations are typically conducted under confidentiality rules and no charges have been announced.
Equal Enforcement?
The March 15 Facebook post by Eichmann has now brought the issue back into focus.
Busalacchi’s police report asks Franklin authorities to review the post under the same ordinance previously used against him.
Whether the post ultimately results in enforcement action remains to be seen.
But the comparison between the two posts — one involving a philosophical analogy about public officials and the other referencing individuals involved in high-profile criminal cases — has raised a broader question now circulating among residents.
If speech that alarms elected officials can lead to a disorderly conduct citation, should speech by elected officials that alarms residents be treated the same way?
The police reports, court filings, and social media posts referenced in this article are matters of public record, allowing residents to review the documents themselves as the debate continues.
This piece reflects the author’s personal opinion and experiences. All statements are presented as commentary protected under the First Amendment. Readers are encouraged to review public records, filings, and documented evidence referenced throughout this article.
Dr. Richard Busalacchi is the Publisher of Franklin Community News, where he focuses on government transparency, community accountability, and local public policy. He believes a community’s strength depends on open dialogue, honest leadership, and the courage to speak the truth—even when it makes powerful people uncomfortable.
đź•Ż️ The solution isn’t another insider in a new office. It’s sunlight, scrutiny, and the courage to vote differently.
Because until voters demand honest, transparent government, the corruption won’t stop — it will only change titles.
Elections have consequences — and Franklin’s next one may decide whether transparency makes a comeback.
đź’¬ If you value hard-hitting, fact-based investigative reporting about our hometown of Franklin — follow Franklin Community News on Facebook.
Together, we can keep local government honest, transparent, and accountable
— for the greater good.
đź’¬ If you value hard-hitting, fact-based investigative reporting about our hometown of Franklin — follow Franklin Community News on Facebook.
Together, we can keep local government honest, transparent, and accountable
— for the greater good.
© 2026 Franklin Community News. All rights reserved.
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ReplyDeleteKevin FischerMarch 15, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Eichmann has zero political smarts. The absolute worst member on the Franklin Common Council that is loaded with weak potted plants. She worships the very ground our misogynist mayor walks on.