Milwaukee City Wire

Milwaukee City Attorney Tearman Spencer is facing allegations of sexual misconduct and a toxic work environment, leading to double-digit resignations within his first year, according to a report by Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR). 

In the report, Alderman Scott Spiker expressed concern, citing a hemorrhaging of talent in Spencer’s office.

"There is a disturbing trend with women leaving the City Attorney's Office. Whether or not he's directly supervising the (assistant city attorneys), it's true. You have directors, but (Spencer) sets the climate,” Spiker told WPR. 

Spencer replaced Grant Langley in April of 2020. According to WPR, Spencer blames the “mass exodus” of people leaving the department on the fact that they were Langley supporters, though Spiker said the trends in the resignations point toward the fact that this is not true.

Former assistant city attorneys have listed their reasons for leaving as “fleeing the toxic and hostile work environment that was created in the city attorney’s office in the last year,” “ethical violations by the city attorney” and “treatment of female attorneys and staff," a report by Milwaukee Magazine states.

According to a report by Urban Milwaukee, Spencer blames the accusations of toxicity and sexual harassment in the workplace on racism, however, the city’s human relations head, Makda Fessahaye— who is also black— said this is not the case.