I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE
On September 14, 2026, a Racine County resident submitted an open records request to Racine County Corporation Counsel seeking the personnel records of both Captain Cary Madrigal and me, Deputy Donald Vandervest. Both sets of records were requested by the same person, on the same day, at the same time. Those records include training, certifications, firearms proficiency, and disciplinary history.
As of October 15—31 days later—only my records have been provided. Much of that information was already publicly available because I posted it on my campaign Facebook page on June 21, 2026.
This follows an earlier six-month delay in access to Madrigal’s disciplinary records, followed by her lawsuit seeking to prevent their release. After a judge rejected that effort, she said she would post the records herself. She did so briefly before they disappeared from her website. That limited disclosure did not include the broader personnel records now being requested.
Wisconsin law, Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a), requires authorities to fulfill records requests or explain their denial “as soon as practicable and without delay.”
With my records released and hers still outstanding, it appears the Sheriff’s Department is dragging its feet on releasing Madrigal’s records. The County should explain the difference in timing, identify any legal basis for withholding her records, and promptly release everything subject to disclosure.
Voters deserve transparency—and the same standard of accountability for both candidates seeking to lead their Sheriff’s Office.