MADISON (WKOW) -- The City of Madison's Parks director says there have been no past complaints about state lawmaker Brett Hulsey's behavior, despite a top city official's indication to the contrary.
Hulsey committed disorderly conduct in July when he was involved in tipping over a 9-year-old boy's inner tube at Spring Harbor Beach, and later appeared to be taking a photograph of the boy.
Police reports show one of the eyewitnesses to some of Hulsey's actions was a person 27 News confirms is Madison Mayor Paul Soglin's assistant, Sally Miley. Reports released to 27 News identify Miley only by her first name, with her last name redacted.
In the reports, a police officer states Miley told him Parks Director Kevin Briski told her Hulsey's behavior had made staff members at city beaches uncomfortable in the past. The report also states Briski told Miley there was a past, stalking-type situation involving Hulsey and a lifeguard at Olin Park.
The police reports also state another eyewitness to the July incident referenced Miley telling him Parks Department staff members "...had received previous complaints from people regarding Brett Hulsey 'acting creepy' and taking pictures of children."
But ,Briski tells 27 News there are no past, written complaints against Hulsey. Briski also says that he's unaware of any concern over Hulsey's interaction with a lifeguard.
When contacted at her City Hall office, Miley declined any comment to 27 News. Mayor Paul Soglin also declined comment.
Hulsey tells 27 News his disorderly conduct stemmed from his concerns the boy was too aggressive in splashing other children in the beach water, although police reports do not reference such aggressive action by the boy. Hulsey says he was taking a photograph of a sunset and the boy may have been partially in his field of view. Police reports show the boy objected to the stranger taking his photograph, and the boy's father came to the beach from a nearby home to confront Hulsey over his actions with his son.
Hulsey denies being a problem in the past at any city beach, and says he never stalked or harassed a lifeguard.
"Totally outrageous, totally unfounded," Hulsey says of the claim in police reports.
Madison police spokesperson Joel DeSpain says there are no past contacts between officers and Hulsey for anything other than traffic cases.
Miley, who was hired in 2010 and makes $81,342 in her mayoral assistant role, owns a home near Spring Harbor Beach. Miley also worked for Soglin during one of Soglin's previous terms as mayor.
Hulsey tells 27 News Soglin has endorsed Hulsey's opponents for the Wisconsin State Assembly in the past and suggested Miley's representations to the police officer had an ulterior motive. "I have political concerns," says Hulsey.
Hulsey also claims police officers excluded his concerns over the child's splashing in their reports on his disorderly conduct. DeSpain says the reports speak for themselves.
