Russ Posts County Supervisor Candidate Antczak’s Public Employment Records Without Notice as Vincent Wins Election
By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi
Franklin Community News
The documents were posted by Joe Russ, who operates a Greendale-based Facebook page known as “Greendale Under the Bubble.” The posts included Internal Affairs investigative materials and Personnel Review Board records dating back to 2017, detailing allegations, investigative findings, and employment-related disciplinary information.
The timing, source, and legality of the release are now under scrutiny.
According to Antczak, he was never notified that his personnel records were requested or released.
“I was never notified, as required by law, that my personnel file or employment records were requested or released by Milwaukee County or the Community Reintegration Center,” Antczak said.
Under Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. § 19.356), public employees are entitled to notice when certain personnel and disciplinary records are requested. That notice provides an opportunity to seek court review before disclosure occurs.
The records publicly posted appear to fall within the category requiring such notice.
Questions About the Release Process
The release of Internal Affairs investigative records and disciplinary materials typically involves a formal public records request and adherence to statutory procedures, including notice to the subject of the records.
At this time, there is no public indication that such notice was provided.
This raises key procedural questions:
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Was a formal public records request submitted for these materials?
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If so, why was the required statutory notice not provided?
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Who authorized the release of Internal Affairs and disciplinary records?
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Were proper safeguards followed in handling sensitive employee records?
Political Context and Timing
The release did not occur in isolation.
At the time the documents were posted, Ryan Antczak was actively running for Milwaukee County Supervisor against incumbent Kathleen Vincent, who ultimately won the election.
The records were published during the final stages of that race and focused exclusively on Antczak’s prior employment history.
Joe Russ, who posted the materials, operates a local social media platform that regularly engages in political commentary and discussion related to Greendale and Milwaukee County issues.
The timing and targeting of the posts have raised questions about whether the release of these records intersected with the political dynamics of the election.
Broader Context: Ongoing John Doe Petition
Additional context comes from a pending John Doe petition ( 2025JD000011) currently before the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
That filing alleges a broader pattern of conduct involving public officials and private individuals, including claims related to retaliation, misuse of public office, and the handling of information.
Both Joe Russ and Supervisor Kathleen Vincent are named within that petition.
While the allegations contained in the filing remain unproven, the overlap between individuals identified in that matter and those connected to the public dissemination of personnel records raises further questions about whether there are broader issues at play.
Key Questions Moving Forward
The situation now presents a number of important questions for Milwaukee County and the public:
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How were Internal Affairs and disciplinary records obtained and released?
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Were statutory notice requirements under Wisconsin law followed?
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Who had access to these records, and when?
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What role, if any, did political timing play in their release?
Source of the Records Remains Central Question
At the center of the issue is a straightforward question: where did the records come from?The Internal Affairs and disciplinary materials posted publicly are not documents that would typically circulate outside official channels without a formal public records request and compliance with statutory procedures, including notice to the subject of the records.
According to Antczak, no such notice was ever provided.
As a result, the source of the records becomes critical. If the materials were obtained through a lawful public records request, Russ should have documentation of that request—and compliance with notice requirements—should exist.
If no such process occurred, it raises serious questions about whether the records were accessed or disclosed outside of standard procedures.
The situation could be clarified quickly. Joe Russ Identifying the source of the records would help determine whether proper legal procedures were followed and whether the disclosure occurred through official channels.
Without that transparency, questions will remain about how Joe Russ obtained sensitive personnel materials that made their way into public circulation during an active County Supervisor race. Ultimately, the issue may be resolved by a single question: where did the records come from?
If they were obtained through a lawful public records process, that should be easily demonstrated by Joe Russ. If not, it raises serious concerns about how sensitive personnel records were accessed and placed into public circulation.
Identifying the source of the records by Joe Russ would bring immediate clarity. Until that happens, the release of these materials—during a contested County Supervisor election—will continue to raise serious questions about whether established legal procedures were followed and whether the public disclosure of these records occurred through proper, legal, and accountable means.
Next Steps
Antczak has submitted a formal public records request to Milwaukee County seeking documentation related to any requests, disclosures, and internal communications concerning his personnel records.
Depending on the County’s response, the matter may be referred to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for review of potential violations of the state’s public records law as well as a formal complaint to the Wisconsin Elections Commission
At the same time, the pending John Doe proceeding may provide additional insight into whether a broader pattern of conduct exists involving the use or dissemination of government records by Russ and Vincent.
For now, the circumstances surrounding the release—and its timing—remain unresolved.
This is a developing situation.
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.
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💬 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.
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