WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsThird allegation against John Chadima

MADISON (WKOW) -- University of Wisconsin-Madison Interim Chancellor David Ward announced Thursday campus police are investigating a third allegation involving former associate athletic director John Chadima and an adult man.

"The UWPD deems the allegation to be credible," Ward said in a statement.

The new accusation represents the second allegation lodged against Chadima within days. Chadima resigned his $129,000 position in January over another accusation: a claim he  sexually assaulted a student-employee at a Rose Bowl week party in a Los Angeles hotel.

Officials said the two previous accusations were lodged by men who did not want to report them to police. But UW System President Kevin Reilly said this new allegation was made to UW police (UWPD) Wednesday and said Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne was involved, raising the possibility of a criminal prosecution.

Retired Dane County Judge Patrick Fielder, now in private legal practice, is carrying out a review of what's happened at the request of Ward. Fielder was a part of a four-person panel to review the Rose Bowl-related incident previously. A UW official said Fielder is being paid by the university, but could not cite the pay rate or total amount.

Reilly said he remains confident the smaller-sized university police department and Fielder could adequately vet the growing accusations. Reilly told 27 News Ward briefed members of the UW Board of Regents Thursday on the latest allegation, and said regents would be consulted more closely as investigations continued. UW police officials declined comment.

Reilly told 27 News the man lodging an accusation earlier this week was a former UW student, but was not enrolled at the time of the incident. A source told 27 News the allegation involved something sexual in nature.

Reilly said he had no knowledge of the specifics of the third man's claim. UW officials also declined further comment.

Chadima worked for UW-Madison for 21 years. In a previous statement, Chadima referenced alcohol dependency in connection with his unspecified, inappropriate actions. Chadima did not answer the door at his Waunakee home when a 27 News reporter attempted to reach him there Thursday. 

In a statement, Chadima's attorney Charles Giesen labeled Ward's approach "a reckless campaign of character assassination."

"It is irresponsible to make vague and unsubstantiated allegations and to vouch for the credibility of an anonymous accuser during an ongoing investigation."

Here is Ward's statement:

"I have been informed by the University of Wisconsin Police Department (UWPD) that it is investigating a third allegation involving John Chadima and an adult male. The UWPD deems the allegation to be credible.

As previously stated, university police continue to investigate all allegations of sexual impropriety or abuse of power brought to their attention.

We are urging anyone who may have been a victim or anyone with information about inappropriate conduct by Mr. Chadima to come forward. We continue to urge victims and people with information to contact the UWPD -- regardless of when or where the alleged inappropriate conduct took place -- by phone at 608-262-2957 or by email at uwpolice@mhub.uwpd.wisc.edu.

An alternative reporting arrangement can be made by contacting former Dane County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Fiedler at 608-262-3017 or by email at report@general.wisc.edu."

Here is Giesen's statement:

"It is inappropriate for the UW chancellor to solicit complaints against John Chadima and engage in a reckless campaign of character assassination.
It is irresponsible to make vague and unsubstantiated allegations and to vouch for the credibility of an anonymous accuser during an ongoing investigation.
It is unfortunately Kafkaesque; and without knowing who the accuser is or what the accusation is, John Chadima has no meaningful opportunity to respond."