Milwaukee politician accused Wisconsin Center District head of assault

A prominent Milwaukee civic leader was recently investigated for assault, but no charges were filed, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has learned.

The incident was linked to an allegation of inappropriate touching — and the person who accused him was a well-known elected official, sources said.

Six sources who spoke with the Journal Sentinel said the official reported to the Milwaukee Police Department that Marty Brooks, the president and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District, had inappropriately touched his butt after an October fundraiser at a popular downtown restaurant.

Police investigated the incident, but the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office decided against charging Brooks. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the allegations.

Police have not yet released a copy of the report to the Journal Sentinel, which filed an open records request about the incident on Dec. 12.

Jim Kanter, the WCD board chairman, notified board members about an “allegation involving Marty Brooks, related to a personal matter,” in a Jan. 22 memo obtained by the Journal Sentinel.

“The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office, which we have complete confidence in, conducted and completed a comprehensive investigation and found no basis for charges; no charges were filed against Marty,” Kanter wrote. “We appreciate the thoroughness of the authorities and respect the conclusions of the investigation.”

Kanter did not provide specifics about the allegation, but added, “I want to emphasize that this matter does not involve Marty in his capacity as WCD President and CEO.”

Neither the official nor Brooks responded to requests for interviews from reporters.

A spokesperson for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s campaign for governor confirmed there was an investigation into an incident that was reported following an October fundraiser it held.

“We’ve been made aware of an investigation of an incident that occurred in October,” he said. “Every such allegation deserves to be taken seriously and merits a thorough examination.”

The event had ended before the the incident reportedly occurred.

“Neither County Executive Crowley, nor any member of his staff, was present at the time of the alleged incident,” the spokesperson said. “We were not made aware of the incident at the time, and have not been part of the investigation.”

The Wisconsin Center District is a public agency that operates the Baird Center convention facility, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre. It also owns Fiserv Forum, which is leased to the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team.

Brooks was named district president and CEO in 2017. He previously was senior vice president and general manager of America’s Center, operated by the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. He also worked more than 20 years as an executive for New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Brooks’ time in Milwaukee has included presiding over Baird Center’s $456 million expansion.

That project was completed in May 2024 – just a few months before the convention facility, Fiserv Forum and other center-owned venues hosted the Republican National Convention.

Brooks has clashed with city officials over the possible redevelopment of the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in September broke the story. It reported that the arena and neighboring Miller High Life Theatre are the subject of a study that could recommend different uses − including a large hotel − for the 6.4-acre downtown site which hosts those aging facilities.

David Clarey of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.