Chippewa County Votes to Continue Investigating Sheriff for Misconduct

Thursday, October 12th, 2023 -- 12:01 PM

(Raymond Neupert, WRN) There was no action Tuesday night to remove Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes from office.

The Chippewa County Board made no decision on removing Sheriff Travis Hakes on Tuesday. Hakes is accused of misconduct in office, and he defended himself at a hearing Tuesday.

Supervisor Rob Teuteberg says the county needs to look into that rebuttal. "Now in light of this latest information presented tonight from Sheriff Haix to direct them to continue the investigation."

A months long investigation accused Hakes of sexual harassment, working his gun store and real estate business from the sheriff's office, and failing to attend meetings. Hakes says the allegations are a witch hunt.

Hakes says the allegations are false. "You do not have to look very far in this report to find many of the statements were provided by individuals who actively campaigned against me."

Chippewa Falls alderman Heather Martell says a series of alleged text messages between Hakes and a female staffer were alarming. "What happened here may not have been nudity, it may not have been the aggressive sexual harassment that we're used to. But it leads up to that."

The board voted to continue the investigation, which is being conducted by a law firm.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.