La Crosse County Town’s Police Chief Prosecuted For Online Harassment Of Tea Party Member

The police chief of the town of Campbell made his first appearance in a La Crosse County Court on Thursday after submitting a tea party member’s name and address to multiple websites.

This issue began last August when protesters called for President Barack Obama’s impeachment on an Interstate 90 overpass in Campbell, located near La Crosse. Soon after, the town board passed an ordinance prohibiting protests on the overpass, citing safety issues. Tea Party members responded with a federal lawsuit, saying their rights were being violated.

The Campbell Police Department claims it was then inundated with threats and harassment from tea party members across the country. After unsuccessfully seeking help from the state, Campbell Police Chief Tim Kelemen admitted to investigators that he had had enough.

So on his personal and work computers, the chief signed up local Tea Party leader, Greg Luce, for dating and gay porn sites, and on healthcare.gov.

Kelemen has reached an agreement with the district attorney. He’ll plead no contest to a misdemeanor and complete 40 hours of community service, continue counseling, and will have no contact with Luce.

A La Crosse County judge recused himself from the case, so a neighboring judge still needs to approve the agreement.

Kelemen’s attorney Jim Birnbaum said it wasn’t a good move on the chief’s part, but he acted in an extreme situation.

“The actions that occurred were the result of a person who always had the interest of the citizens of the town of Campbell in mind, attempted to protect them, attempted to enforce their laws and was the lone ranger facing this onslaught of abuse,” said Birnbaum.

A lawyer representing Luce said in an email that he will be pursuing a civil case.

Kelemen is on paid administrative leave from his job, and Campbell’s town board is currently investigating the case.