(Juneau) Several Dodge County supervisors took issue with going into closed session Tuesday night to discuss ongoing litigation involving the county. According to the agenda, the closed session was to discuss the status of a federal lawsuit filed by Selepri Amachree against Dodge County law enforcement leaders. Amachree claims he was illegally held in the Dodge County jail for six months on an invalid deportation order. The case was dismissed with prejudice in March, but Amachree is currently appealing that decision.
Several board members argued the closed session was being used to censor their opinions or that it carried an alternative motive, with a few referencing a letter received by Supervisor Dan Siegmann from the board’s Executive Committee. Siegmann was admonished for his involvement in a YouTube series where he interviews Amachree about the lawsuit.
Supervisor Cathy Houchin says the Executive Committee went into closed session last week, under the same description that Tuesday night’s agenda had, and once they reconvened voted to send a letter of reprimand to a supervisor. She says that agenda never stated the Executive Committee would discuss another board member, adding that she will not participate talking about another supervisor in closed session.
Supervisor Lisa Derr says closed sessions serve to protect the county’s interests. She notes that the purpose of confidential meetings is so that the board (quote) “does not shoot ourselves in the foot” for ongoing litigation.
Supervisor Jeff Breselow says he will not be (quote) “gagged” by a closed session. He says there is a particular agenda behind the closed session and that is to put a gag-order on board members.
Supervisor Rob Boelk encouraged his fellow board members to support going into closed session. He says the county’s attorney is at the meeting to discuss active litigation.
The board eventually voted 23-to-6 in favor of going into closed session, which lasted roughly an hour and a half. There was no vote or motion made once the meeting reconvened, that’s because the closed session did not include an action item.
