MILWAUKEE — The attorney representing former Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales now says his client will not enter MPD's administration building this Saturday to resume his old job, and that the deadline for a settlement with the city has been pushed back to July 12.
Attorney Frank Gimbel originally issued a statement to TMJ4 News Wednesday evening, writing that Morales planned to return as police chief July 3, the deadline a judge set for the city to either reach a settlement with Morales, or, failing to do so, reinstate Morales. The city and Morales have yet to reach such a settlement, after a mediation earlier this month was inconclusive.
Gimbel wrote Wednesday evening, "As of tonight, my client Alfonso Morales intends to enter the Police Administration Building on Saturday morning and reassume [sic] his position as Chief of Police."
Then on Thursday, Gimbel told TMJ4 News that the deadline for a settlement or returning to work for the former chief has been pushed to July 12.
BREAKING: Former @MilwaukeePolice Chief Alfonso Morales’ attorney tells me the deadline for a settlement in his case against the city, or a return to work for the former chief has been pushed to July 12th. It was originally set for this Saturday. @tmj4 pic.twitter.com/n0UiV4ZQie
— Tom Durian (@TMJ4Tom) July 1, 2021
In May, a judge ordered the city to come to a settlement with Morales or reinstate Morales as chief. The city was given 45 days to do so. That grace period was set to end this Saturday, July 3.
Last year, the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission demoted Morales to captain amid ongoing tensions between the then-chief and commissioners. The Milwaukee County Judge, Chris Foley, ruled that decision did not give Morales due process and was thus illegal.
The city and Morales did meet on June 19 to discuss a potential settlement, but the talks did not lead anywhere.Then on June 24, Judge Foley denied the city's request to push back reinstating Morales to July 3 unless a deal could be made. The city wanted more time to explore a possible settlement with Morales.
Such a settlement could amount to almost a half a million dollars.
Morales' legal team is also suing the city in federal court, arguing the former chief's civil rights were violated when he was demoted.
