Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley faces campaign scrutiny

Milwaukee County Executive and Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley is facing scrutiny over two separate issues.

First, Crowley suspended an inmate tablet program following reports that several inmates used the devices to harass victims, intimidate witnesses, and threaten law enforcement. Notable instances included Thomas Zollicoffer, charged in a triple murder, using a tablet to intimidate witnesses, and Amier Jones, who reportedly placed a Milwaukee police officer on a hit list. Crowley’s campaign recently issued a cease-and-desist letter to Republican opponent Tom Tiffany regarding the matter, which contained errors such as misidentifying a local judge.

Second, Republican critics are examining millions of dollars in COVID-era emergency rental assistance grants overseen by Crowley. The funds were awarded to Community Advocates, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit where Crowley’s wife, Ericka Crowley, has been employed since June 2020. Crowley maintains that he disclosed his wife’s affiliation in public documents as early as January 2021 and asserts that her employment did not influence the selection of the organization, noting the nonprofit had long-standing ties to the county.