Dilemma after Racine mayor's confidential settlement

By the Associated Press

CREATED Jun. 18, 2012

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RACINE, Wis. (AP) -- Racine's mayor is facing a quandary after he reached a confidential settlement in a slander case brought against him by a former employee.

The terms of the settlement haven't been released, and a confidentiality clause prevents either side from revealing the terms. However, because taxpayers may have been liable for the settlement, The Journal Times of Racine (http://bit.ly/MTFuHZ ) is arguing the mayor's office has to release the terms under the state's Public Records Law.

The city paid $100,000 to defend Mayor John Dickert. Former city employee William Bielefeldt had accused Dickert of slandering him in radio comments the mayor made while campaigning for re-election.

Dickert and the city have filed a lawsuit asking a judge whether they can release the files without being punished for violating the confidentiality clause.

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Information from: The Journal Times, http://www.journaltimes.com