UPDATE : DOJ releases criminal complaint. ( PDF )
The situation with Racine Mayor Gary Becker and the state Justice Department's investigation, leading to his arrest for alleged improper conduct with a minor, has the next top-2 officials in city government focusing on the "now" and "what happens next".
Administrator Ben Hughes reassures the public that day-to-day operations are continuing without a problem. "The form of government that we have, with the city administrator and professional department heads . . . we're going to be okay, says Hughes.
Common Council president David Maack is assuming acting mayor duties, and looking for things to settle down before any potential decisions are made about the future of city leadership. "We're all capable of leading our districts and joining together to lead this city," says Maack. "The mayor's just one person, and the city can move forward, with or without him."
"There is continuity in government," says Hughes. "We are going to continue to deliver the services that the citizens expect and deserve. I don't want to in any way diminish the office of mayor, but that stuff would have continued to happen anyway, whether he were here or not here."
Becker was released from the Kenosha jail Wednesday evening and is expected in Racine County court this afternoon to face what the state Justice Department says are allegations that include child enticement.
