Reaction to Wisconsin Supreme Court reinstating ballot boxes
Milwaukee Board of Elections Executive Director Paulina Gutierrez explains the impact of the state Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate absentee ballot drop boxes.
- Racine was charged with stalking Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Jill Karofsky.
- The man allegedly sent dozens of threatening emails and phone calls after his claim was denied.
- Karofsky told investigators he was concerned for his safety and had increased safety precautions.
MADISON — A Wisconsin man has been charged with stalking Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Jill Karofsky in recent weeks.
Ryan Thornton, 37, of Racine, appeared in Dane County Circuit Court on Monday, Oct. 20, after being arrested by the Wisconsin Capitol Police for allegedly making a series of threatening statements in dozens of phone calls and emails against Karofsky.
According to the criminal complaint, Thornton began emailing Karofsky in August, shortly after the Office of Lawyer Regulation denied a disciplinary claim against an attorney who represented Thornton in a separate case in which he was found guilty by a jury of domestic violence-related charges.
Prosecutors allege Thornton made more than 70 phone calls to officials at the Office of Lawyer Regulation, sometimes making threatening statements to the staff and at one point asking for Karofsky’s home address.
“Please leave the office,” Thornton said in one email, according to the complaint. In another article, he allegedly told Mr. Karofsky to call the police.
“Call Jill at the Capitol Police…what a democratic idea,” he allegedly wrote.
Prosecutors allege that when Thornton was arrested, he said things like “That woman is depressed,” “That (expletive) woman,” and “If this is Jill’s fault, she’s depressed.”
When a Capitol Police officer asked how Mr. Karofsky was involved in his dispute with the Office of Lawyer Regulation, Mr. Thornton replied that he did not know and that “it must be some kind of woman who is preventing him from speaking to OLR,” investigators paraphrase in the complaint.
“Defendant believed that Chief Judge Karofsky or a woman must be in control of OLR,” the complaint states.
Karofsky told investigators the ordeal had forced him to take extra safety precautions and he feared for his safety, according to the criminal complaint.
“Chief Judge Karofsky stated that whenever an alarm goes off on the doorbell, he checks to see if there is a safety concern,” investigators wrote. “Chief Judge Karofsky said he was afraid to receive mail through his front door.”
According to the complaint, police officers escorted Karofsky to his seat at recent baseball and football games.
A Supreme Court spokesperson said in a statement that Karofsky does not comment on the matter.
“…However, on behalf of the Wisconsin court system, I want to say that the safety and security of everyone involved in the justice system is our top priority, and any threats against law enforcement personnel are taken seriously,” said court spokesman Stephen Kelly.
“Ensuring that the public, along with judges, court staff, and all those who work in the justice system, can do their jobs safely and without fear in our courtrooms is a top priority for the Chief Justice and the entire court system,” he said. “We deeply value our strong partnership with the Capitol Police and local law enforcement in maintaining a safe courtroom environment.”
If convicted, Thornton could face nearly four years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.
