Anonymous Public Records Request Preceded Election-Eve Release of Candidate’s Personnel Records

By Dr. Richard Busalacchi
Publisher, Franklin Community News

UPDATE: Campaign Finance Records Provide Additional Context

June 28, 2026

After publication of this article, Franklin Community News reviewed Kathleen Vincent’s Spring Pre-Election 2026 Campaign Finance Report, which provides additional publicly documented information regarding several individuals discussed in this investigation.

The report identifies Brennan Dineen Balestrieri as a paid campaign consultant, receiving payments of $600 on February 2, 2026, and $600 on February 27, 2026, for a total of $1,200 during the reporting period.

The same report also shows that Joe Russ contributed $250 to Vincent’s campaign. In addition, the campaign reported receiving in-kind contributions from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, including campaign software and consulting services.

These campaign finance disclosures establish that Balestrieri served as a paid consultant to Vincent’s campaign and that Russ was a financial supporter of the campaign during the period leading up to the April 6, 2026 election.

Separately, Milwaukee County records previously reviewed by Franklin Community News document that an anonymous public records request for Ryan Antczak’s personnel records designated changewisconsin@gmail.com as the email address to receive responsive records.

Franklin Community News has also identified publicly available online postings that associate changewisconsin@gmail.com with Brennan Dineen Balestrieri, including public volunteer-organizing posts for the Milwaukee Public Schools referendum and other public online postings in which the same email address was used as a contact address.

Campaign Finance Report Reflects Support from Current Milwaukee County Supervisors

Kathleen Vincent’s Spring Pre-Election 2026 Campaign Finance Report reflects campaign contributions from several of her colleagues on the Milwaukee County Board.

According to the report, the following current Milwaukee County Supervisors made monetary contributions to Vincent’s campaign:

• Juan Miguel Martinez — $250
• Shawn Rolland — $100
• Steven Shea — $100
• Marcelia Nicholson — $100
• Sky Capriolo — $75
• Caroline Gomez-Tom — $50
• Sheldon Wasserman — $50

The report also identifies contributions from other public officials and individuals active in government and public affairs, including:

• Aaron Lipski, Milwaukee Fire Chief — $250
• George Christenson, Milwaukee County Clerk — $50
• Joe Czarnezki, former Milwaukee County Supervisor — $50
• Denise Callaway, former media personality and communications consultant — $50
• Anthony Dodd - Former Assistant Superintendent of Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center - $50, 

These campaign finance disclosures are matters of public record and provide additional context regarding the campaign’s publicly reported supporters, consultants, and contributors.

Published June 26, 2026

Three days before voters elected a Milwaukee County Supervisor for District 11, portions of Ryan Antczak’s Milwaukee County personnel and Internal Affairs records suddenly appeared on Facebook.

The records were posted on April 3, 2026, by Joe Russ on the Facebook page Greendale Under the Bubble, where they quickly became the subject of hundreds of comments discussing Antczak’s candidacy.

A review of Milwaukee County records obtained by Franklin Community News reveals an unusual timeline beginning nearly seven weeks earlier with an anonymous public records request that specifically sought records relating to Antczak’s resignation from County employment.

The records answer some questions—but leave many others unresolved.

A Highly Targeted Public Records Request

According to Milwaukee County records, the County received a public records request on February 17, 2026.

Rather than requesting Ryan Antczak’s complete personnel file, the requester sought a narrowly tailored category of records:

“Employee Personnel Files related to hire/resignation especially investigations leading to resignation in lieu of termination.”

The request was submitted without identifying the requester’s name. However, Milwaukee County records indicate the requester directed that responsive records be transmitted electronically to the email address:

changewisconsin@gmail.com

Wisconsin law generally permits individuals to submit public records requests without identifying themselves.

What makes this request unusual is its specificity. The requester did not simply seek public employment records. Instead, the request referenced investigations allegedly leading to a resignation in lieu of termination.

At present, Franklin Community News has not determined how the requester knew to request that specific category of records.

Publicly Documented Relationships

As Franklin Community News continued reviewing publicly available records and social media posts, additional publicly documented relationships emerged among individuals connected to the events surrounding the release of Ryan Antczak’s personnel records.

Franklin Community News independently identified publicly available online postings associating the email address changewisconsin@gmail.com with Brennan Dineen Balestrieri.

Public Facebook posts show Brennan Dineen Balestrieri actively supporting Kathleen Vincent during her 2026 Milwaukee County Supervisor campaign. Following Vincent’s April 6 election victory, Balestrieri publicly congratulated her, writing that he was proud of her campaign and celebrating her victory with photographs from campaign events attended by supporters.

Separately, publicly available Facebook posts also document a longstanding public relationship between Kathleen Vincent and Joe Russ.

In a November 19, 2024 Facebook post published on her “Kathleen Wied-Vincent for Greendale School Board” page, Vincent publicly thanked Joe Russ for what she described as a “considerable donation” toward restoration of the Hauser Statue and surrounding sidewalks in downtown Greendale. The post included a photograph of Vincent and Russ together during the presentation.

Those public posts establish that both Brennan Dineen Balestrieri and Joe Russ publicly supported or interacted with Vincent before the April 2026 election. Standing alone, they do not establish any involvement by Vincent, Balestrieri, or Russ in Milwaukee County’s processing of the public records request or the subsequent release of Ryan Antczak’s personnel records.

However, the publicly documented relationships provide context for the timeline that followed.

Milwaukee County records indicate that an anonymous requester sought Ryan Antczak’s personnel and Internal Affairs records and designated changewisconsin@gmail.com as the email address for delivery of responsive records. Franklin Community News independently identified publicly available online postings associating that email address with Brennan Dineen Balestrieri.

Three days before the April 6 election, Joe Russ published portions of those personnel and Internal Affairs records on the Facebook page Greendale Under the Bubble, where they became the subject of extensive discussion regarding Antczak’s candidacy.

At present, Franklin Community News has not identified public records establishing how the records moved from the designated recipient identified in Milwaukee County’s records to Joe Russ before they appeared publicly on Facebook. That remains one of several questions Ryan Antczak continues to pursue through ongoing public records requests to Milwaukee County.

Brennan Balestrieri’s Political and Campaign Background

Publicly available professional information indicates that Brennan Dineen Balestrieri has been active in political consulting, campaign strategy, and communications for a number of years.

According to his publicly available professional profile, Balestrieri currently serves as Senior Advisor for Arney for Wisconsin and has been the Creative Director of Washburn Data, LLC since 2008, where he describes his responsibilities as including campaign management, strategic communications, media buying, fundraising, branding, website development, speech writing, policy research, and overall campaign strategy.

His profile identifies numerous political and judicial campaigns for which he reports providing campaign management or communications services, including candidates for municipal office, judicial office, and statewide political organizations. His listed experience includes work involving Wisconsin Supreme Court and Circuit Court candidates, Milwaukee Common Council races, school board elections, labor organizations, and other political campaigns.

Separately, publicly available Facebook posts show Balestrieri actively supporting Kathleen Vincent during her 2026 Milwaukee County Supervisor campaign. Following Vincent’s April 6 election victory, he publicly congratulated her and praised the campaign’s efforts.

Franklin Community News includes this information to provide background regarding Balestrieri’s publicly represented political experience and campaign involvement. This information, standing alone, does not establish any involvement in the submission of the public records request discussed elsewhere in this article.

Milwaukee County’s Notice

Milwaukee County prepared a Notice of Public Records Request advising Ryan Antczak that records had been requested and informing him of his statutory rights to seek judicial review before disclosure.

The notice, dated March 9, 2026, was mailed by certified mail.

According to United States Postal Service tracking records reviewed by Franklin Community News, the certified mailing was never delivered. Postal records indicate notices were left, reminders were issued, and the certified letter was ultimately returned to Milwaukee County as unclaimed.

Ryan Antczak has stated that he never actually received the notice.

Whether Milwaukee County fully complied with all procedural requirements governing the release of the records remains one of the issues Antczak continues to pursue through additional public records requests.

Records Surface Days Before the Election

On April 3, 2026—three days before the April 6 election—Joe Russ published portions of Antczak’s personnel and Internal Affairs records on the Facebook page Greendale Under the Bubble.

The records immediately became campaign discussion material.

Among the comments posted beneath the records, one individual asked Joe Russ:

“How did you get these Personal Files from the county?”

The commenter added:

“Hopefully, they were obtained legally.”

The Facebook discussion reviewed by Franklin Community News contains no direct explanation from Joe Russ describing how he obtained the records.

Brennan Dineen Balestrieri also participated in the discussion, responding to other commenters regarding Antczak’s candidacy, but the discussion reviewed by Franklin Community News does not contain a response explaining how the records were obtained.

Continuing Public Records Requests

Following the election, Antczak submitted multiple public records requests seeking to determine:

• who requested his records;
• how Milwaukee County processed the request;
• whether statutory notice requirements were followed;
• who approved release of the records;
• when the records were released;
• and to whom they were transmitted.

Milwaukee County Human Resources later confirmed that it had received a request for Antczak’s personnel records and forwarded responsive files to Milwaukee County’s centralized Open Records office.

Antczak continues to seek additional records documenting the request, review, approval, notice, and release process.

Documented Facts and Remaining Questions

The records reviewed by Franklin Community News establish several facts:

• Milwaukee County received a public records request on February 17, 2026.
• The request specifically sought investigative records relating to Antczak’s resignation from County employment.
• The requester directed Milwaukee County to transmit responsive records to changewisconsin@gmail.com.
• Milwaukee County prepared and mailed a statutory notice by certified mail.
• The certified mailing was ultimately returned to Milwaukee County as unclaimed.
• Portions of Antczak’s personnel records appeared publicly on Facebook on April 3, 2026—three days before the April 6 election.

Several questions, however, remain unanswered:

• How did the requester know to seek such a narrowly tailored category of employment records?
• What records document Milwaukee County’s review and approval of the release?
• When were the records transmitted to the designated email address?
• What documentation exists concerning the release of those records?
• How did the records later appear on Facebook during the closing days of the election?

Franklin Community News is not asserting answers to those questions. Rather, they are the subject of continuing public records requests submitted by Ryan Antczak to Milwaukee County.

As additional records become available, Franklin Community News will continue reporting on this developing story and will publish responses received from Milwaukee County or any individuals identified in this article who choose to comment.

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.

🕯️ 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.

💬 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.

Join Us at:

 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1a3NsgvAGn/

THE STEVE TAYLOR FILES: From Harassment Injunction to Obstruction Conviction

By Dr. Richard A. Busalacchi
Franklin Community News

For years, Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor has publicly dismissed criticism of his past legal troubles as political attacks, a smear campaign, or what he once called "tabloid trash."

Yet surviving police records obtained by FCN, (a 55 page police report) court-related documents, and contemporaneous newspaper accounts tell a far more complicated story.

What began in 1999 as a harassment injunction investigation involving Taylor and his former girlfriend ultimately evolved into allegations that another individual was encouraged to take responsibility for conduct under investigation. The matter later resulted in an obstruction conviction that became a public issue during Taylor's political career.

Today, much of the original court file no longer appears to be available due to the age of the case. However, the surviving La Crosse Police Department investigative file, contemporaneous reporting from the La Crosse Tribune, and later reporting by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provide a detailed record of what occurred.

The Harassment Injunction

The case began after Taylor's former girlfriend, Jill Kroner, obtained a harassment injunction following the end of their relationship.

The injunction prohibited Taylor from contacting Kroner directly or indirectly. Court documents contained in the police file specifically ordered:

"No contact with petitioner Jill Kroner directly or through a third person."

The injunction remained in effect until July 7, 1999.

The One-Word Voicemail

On June 18, 1999, Kroner returned home and discovered a message on her family's answering machine.

In a written statement provided to police, Kroner described what happened.

"I came home to my parents' home, I picked up the phone to call my boyfriend to tell him I got home safely and found that there was a message on our voice mail system."

Kroner immediately believed she knew who left the message.

"The message sounded like a person whom I have had many arguments with for the past two years, Steve Taylor."

According to Kroner, the message contained only a single word:

"The message consisted of one word only, 'Poo-Kie,' which was a nickname he called me when we were together."

Kroner also told police:

"I have had many problems with Mr. Taylor during the past two years, especially around this time of year."

Because the injunction prohibited contact, police opened a criminal investigation.

The Arrest

Investigators interviewed Kroner, family members, and individuals who had spent time with Taylor during the evening in question.

Police examined Taylor's whereabouts and sought to determine whether he had access to a telephone at the time the call was made.

After reviewing witness statements and the injunction order, officers concluded there was probable cause that the injunction had been violated.

Taylor was arrested on June 19, 1999.

At the time, Taylor denied making the call.

Had the case ended there, it would likely have remained a relatively minor misdemeanor matter.

Instead, investigators soon began uncovering information that dramatically changed the direction of the case.

Enter Brian See

As investigators continued their review, another individual named Brian See became central to the investigation.

Initially, information surfaced suggesting that See might claim responsibility for the call.

However, subsequent interviews painted a very different picture.

According to taped statements documented by police, See described conversations involving Taylor and concerns regarding the political consequences of a conviction.

One statement attributed to Taylor became particularly significant.

According to See, Taylor expressed concern that:

"my political career is going to be screwed."

Investigators questioned See about whether discussions had occurred regarding someone else taking responsibility for the call.

When asked whether he believed references and suggestions made during conversations were directed toward him becoming the individual who would claim responsibility, See answered:

"Yeah. I believe that's why."

Investigators further asked whether Taylor's concern about his political future was connected to finding someone else to assume responsibility.

See again responded:

"Yeah."

The allegations transformed what had begun as a harassment injunction investigation into something much more serious.

Sergeant Mix's Findings

By September 1999, La Crosse Police Sergeant Robert Mix had completed an extensive review of witness statements, recorded interviews, and other evidence.

His conclusions were among the strongest language found anywhere in the investigative file.

After reviewing the evidence, Mix wrote:

"Mr. See is a credible witness with nothing to gain from making the above allegations."

Mix further noted:

"Mr. See is an acquaintance of Mr. Taylor's and in Mr. See's own words, they are friends but they do associate with each other."

Most significantly, Mix formally requested prosecutorial review for additional criminal charges.

His report stated:

"This officer would request that the District Attorney's office review the above information for possible charges against Mr. Taylor for solicitation of perjury and obstruction of justice."

Mix also requested review concerning:

"possible ethics violations."

Those findings marked a turning point in the investigation.

What began as a harassment injunction violation had evolved into allegations involving witness influence, obstruction, and attempts to redirect responsibility for the conduct under investigation.

The Deferred Prosecution Agreement

Records contained within the investigative file show that Taylor later entered into a deferred prosecution agreement relating to the harassment injunction violation.

The agreement required Taylor to:

• Complete community service.
• Undergo counseling.
• Complete a psychological evaluation.
• Participate in alcohol and drug assessment.
• Pay restitution and fees.
• Maintain strict compliance with the no-contact order involving Kroner and her family.

The agreement specifically provided that:

"no contact means no direct or indirect contact whether in person, by phone or by mail."

The deferred prosecution agreement resolved the underlying harassment-order charge but did not end the broader investigation.

The Obstruction Conviction

The allegations documented by Sergeant Mix eventually resulted in an obstruction case.

According to contemporaneous reporting by the La Crosse Tribune, Taylor was later found guilty by a jury of misdemeanor obstruction.

The Tribune reported that prosecutors alleged Taylor attempted to convince an acquaintance to take responsibility for the phone call made to his former girlfriend while Taylor was prohibited from contacting her by court order.

Following the verdict, La Crosse County Circuit Judge Dale Pasell imposed a fine and probation.

According to the Tribune, Judge Pasell stated that Taylor's conduct:

"smacks of a certain arrogance"

The newspaper reported that Taylor did not testify during the trial.

Following the conviction, Taylor publicly stated:

"Today was a very humbling experience. Obviously, I wish the outcome had been different."

He also stated:

"I'm sorry if something that I said or expressed was taken in the wrong way and resulted in this whole process."

Taylor maintained his innocence and indicated that he was considering an appeal.

The conviction later became an issue during Taylor's 2001 reelection campaign for the La Crosse Common Council.

Daniel Bice Revisits the Case

More than a decade later, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Daniel Bice revisited the matter while reporting on Taylor's political career.

Bice reported that Taylor had entered a deferred prosecution agreement related to the harassment injunction violation and was later convicted of misdemeanor obstruction after prosecutors alleged he encouraged an acquaintance to provide false information during the investigation.

Bice also reported that Taylor described the case as a political attack and claimed he had been "railroaded."

The Journal Sentinel article largely mirrored the findings documented years earlier in the police file and reported by the La Crosse Tribune.

A Different Public Image

The historical record stands in notable contrast to Taylor's current public image.

On June 15, 2026, Taylor publicly recognized National Crime Victims' Rights Week and stated that his office would continue to serve as a resource for people who have been:

"abused, stalked, harassed, and obsessed over."

The statement presented Taylor as an advocate for victims of harassment and stalking.

Yet surviving police records document a period in which Taylor was the subject of a harassment injunction investigation that later evolved into an obstruction case.

Whether readers view that contrast as evidence of personal growth, political reinvention, or an unresolved contradiction is ultimately their own conclusion.

What cannot be disputed is that both events are part of the public record.

Why FCN Is Investigating

Some readers have asked why Franklin Community News continues to investigate Steve Taylor.

The answer is simple.

Steve Taylor is not a private citizen.

He is an elected public official entrusted with public authority, public resources, and public decision-making.

FCN's investigation did not begin with a decades-old police report.

The investigation began after multiple individuals contacted FCN regarding concerns about Taylor's conduct as a public official. Those concerns included allegations involving political retaliation, misuse of public office, intimidation, interference in public matters, employment-related disputes, and the use of political influence for personal or political purposes.

As part of its ongoing investigation, FCN publicly requested information from individuals with firsthand knowledge, emails, text messages, public records, court filings, employment records, and other documentation relevant to Taylor's conduct.

The purpose of the investigation is not to relitigate old personal disputes.

Rather, it is to determine whether a pattern exists that helps the public understand how an elected official exercises power, responds to criticism, treats political opponents, and conducts himself both inside and outside public office.

Public accountability does not expire because records become difficult to locate.

Nor does it disappear because the events occurred decades ago.

Questions involving honesty, judgment, credibility, and the exercise of power remain relevant regardless of when they first arose.

Taylor's Position

Taylor has consistently denied wrongdoing.

In public statements, he has characterized the cases as politically motivated and has maintained that he was unfairly targeted by opponents.

Readers should consider both the documentary evidence and Taylor's response when evaluating the historical record.

FCN's role is not to determine guilt or innocence.

Its role is to review records, verify facts, gather evidence, present relevant information, and allow readers to make their own informed judgments.

Conclusion

The surviving records tell a story far different from the abbreviated descriptions often associated with Steve Taylor's legal history.

The files document an investigation that began with a one-word voicemail, expanded into allegations involving witness influence, and ultimately resulted in an obstruction conviction reported by contemporaneous news coverage.

Whether voters view those events as ancient history, evidence of poor judgment, or a matter bearing directly on public trust is ultimately their decision.

What cannot be disputed is that the investigation occurred, the records exist, and the questions raised by those events remain part of the public record.

For that reason alone, they remain worthy of public examination.

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.

🕯️ 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.

💬 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.

Join Us at:

 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1a3NsgvAGn/