Milwaukee aldermen are no strangers to scandal.
The latest: Ashanti Hamilton is expected to be formally charged with physical abuse of a child, a felony.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Milwaukee Ald. Ashanti Hamilton hit his 6-year-old daughter with a hanger at least eight times, leaving whip marks on her arms and legs, according to a felony child abuse complaint against him released Monday.
The girl was crying and screaming, her leg was bleeding and the hanger was broken by the time the beating ended, according to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. The girl's older sister, who is 14, told police that Hamilton "does not usually whip her and her siblings and that he just snapped and got really angry for no reason," the complaint says.
A formal charge is expected to be filed Tuesday.
If convicted, Hamilton would face a maximum possible penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, the complaint says. Under state law, an alderman convicted of a felony must be removed from the Common Council upon sentencing.
Hamilton and his former wife, Isis Muhammad, share custody of their four children.
..."We're disappointed, but as far as my client goes, I can't speak for him at this point. He's not happy about this entire situation," said Hamilton's attorney, Michael Chernin.
...Hamilton, 35, serves as chairman of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee and the City Information Management Committee.
Alex Runner, aide to Common Council President Willie Hines, said Hines would not seek to remove Hamilton from his committee assignments "at this time." Although the complaint against Hamilton is serious, Runner said, it is a domestic issue not related to his aldermanic duties.
Runner also noted that Hamilton is only being charged and has not been convicted, and added that Hines would likely evaluate the case as it progresses.
In a statement, Mayor Tom Barrett called the charges "very serious."
"My concern is for the child and the family," he said.
The charges are very serious.
Hamilton will get his day in court.
I hope justice is served.
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Read the criminal complaint.
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Related Posts:
Ashanti Hamilton: Child Abuser?
Ashanti Hamilton: Booked and Released
Ashanti Hamilton: Plea Agreement
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