May 14, 2002
(Oshkosh) Appearing on WOSH-1490 AM radio today, embattled Winnebago County District Attorney Joseph Paulus vigorously denied all "unfounded allegations" of misconduct in his office. Paulus, who has yet to announce whether he will seek reelection this year, claimed that allegations of drunk driving defendants receiving lesser charges in return for payoffs are "reckless and irresponsible," and politically motivated.
Paulus said that Assistant District Attorney E.J. Jelinski, an announced DA candidate, is a "vicious and vindicative little man" who will "stop at nothing" to destroy Paulus' reputation. Paulus said Jelinski is "in cahoots with" Ann Gollner, the Menasha police officer who on Monday confirmed to the Oshkosh Northwestern that she’s responsible for making allegations to the FBI of wrongdoing within Paulus' office. Paulus claims that Gollner, angry at being transferred back to Menasha after serving in the Winnebago County Domestic Abuse Unit, launched her own unauthorized investigation for the purpose of digging up dirt to smear his reputation.
|
According to Paulus, Jelinski in the presence of a circuit court judge said that he would go to the homes of those who voted against his Neenah Rotary membership and "put cat urine into their jello." |
Jelinski, who announced his intention to run for DA on April 9, was singled out by Paulus for some especially harsh criticism. Paulus claims that Jelinski was twice denied membership to the Neenah Rotary Club, and that after the second denial he "swore revenge" against those voted against him. According to Paulus, Jelinski in the presence of a circuit court judge said that he would go to the homes of those who voted against his Neenah Rotary membership and "put cat urine into their jello."
Paulus was also critical of Winnebago County Executive Jane Van De Hey, who recently told the press that she ordered the locks changed at the DA's building after being told by detectives that records had been tampered with. Paulus said he was "upset" that Van Dey Hey did not call him. When asked why Van De Hey would not have called, Paulus said that she was "prominent at Jelinski's announcement" that he would run for DA, and that maybe her failure to call is a case of "birds of a feather" flocking together.
Paulus said that Asssistant District Attorneys Brad Priebe and John Jorgensen, both of whom have announced their intentions to run for DA, have his "blessing." While not ruling out the possibility of running for reelection, Paulus said that he will fight to clear his name and expose Jelinski and Gollner regardless of whether or not he runs.
Paulus said he has not been contacted by the FBI, but he "welcomes any review of cases."