Apr. 25, 2023 8p
(WGTD)---A felony charge that had been filed against former Racine City Council President John Tate never made it to first base.
At Tate's initial appearance Tuesday, Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz dismissed the charge of having a private interest in a public contract while working in a public capacity.
Tate was accused of approving a violence interrupter coordinator position while serving as alderman then later applying for the job and receiving it. Two former aldermen raised a red flag.
The city then announced it was reviewing the matter.
Through the Kenosha County Sheriff's Dept., Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson conducted her own investigation. She filed the criminal charge earlier this month.
On Monday, Tate's attorney, Pat Cafferty, filed a motion to dismiss.
He argued that while Tate was in fact a public employee who privately negotiated a contract, Tate's only official action was to vote to accept grant funds that would allow the role to be created.
Gasiorkiewicz read his ruling from the bench in front of two dozen Tate supporters who had gathered in the courtroom for the initial appearance. While dismissing the charge, Gasiorkiewicz did so without prejudice, meaning that the charge could be refiled if additional information would come to light.
During the proceeding, the judge had to admonish the crowd to control their reactions. After most people had left the courtroom, a Tate supporter became loud and used profanity in a conversation with D-A Hanson, who tried to calm him down before she slipped out of a side door.
In an email, defense attorney Cafferty said he fully agreed with the judge's decision to dismiss, and said his client is looking forward to restoring his reputation, and continues to have an interest in public service.
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