LADYSMITH, Wis. (WJMC) — The current city administrator and former mayor of Ladysmith, and his sister, have been arrested for allegedly attempting to record a closed session of a county board meeting.
Rusk County Sheriff Phil Grassmann said 37-year-old Alan Christianson, and his sister, 34-year-old Stephanie Christianson, attempted to listen in to a closed session portion of the August 26 county board meeting.
Most government meetings are open to the public, but specific portions can be closed to the public when discussing certain personnel, bargaining or negotiation, confidential financial or legal issues.
According to the Ladysmith News, that meeting included a closed session regarding the job performance of an extended family member of the Christiansons’. Criminal charges allege Stephanie Christianson allegedly admitted to investigators she used her phone and ear to eavesdrop on the meeting though a closed door, but it was difficult to hear over ambient noise.
The sheriff said Alan Christianson, Ladysmith’s city administrator, was also involved but did not detail his specific involvement.
Stephanie Christianson was charged with felony electronic eavesdropping on September 4. She will appear in court next Tuesday.
Alan Christianson was arrested and booked on Monday, with formal charges pending from the district attorney’s office.