You may notice another addition to the Legal Victories section of Kenosha County Eye’s website.
Today, the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Bureau ruled in favor of Kenosha County Eye founder and editor Kevin Mathewson, concluding that the Village of Antioch improperly withheld public records in response to a Freedom of Information Act request through the Attorney General’s internal Public Access Counselor review process.
The dispute involved emails exchanged between the Village clerk and the Village’s outside attorney, James Vasselli, which the Village partially withheld by claiming attorney-client privilege. After reviewing the records privately, the Attorney General’s office determined the Village failed to demonstrate that the emails involved legal advice or otherwise met the legal standard required to withhold them under FOIA. The Attorney General ordered the records released unredacted.
Vasselli was formally appointed Village Attorney for Antioch in July 2024 after approval by the Village Board. Under the engagement agreement approved by resolution, Vasselli Law, LLC is paid a flat fee of $10,000 per month for general legal services, with additional hourly charges for certain development, TIF, and public finance matters. The agreement also notes that Vasselli serves as general or special counsel to multiple Illinois municipalities.
This determination marks Mathewson’s 22nd successful outcome involving public records and open government matters.
The Village attorney involved in the dispute, James Vasselli, shares a name with a former Cook County prosecutor who was charged in 2001 after allegedly placing an envelope of sugar on a co-worker’s desk during the height of national anthrax scares. According to contemporaneous reporting by the Associated Press and the Chicago Tribune, prosecutors alleged the act created a false biological threat and charged the case as felony disorderly conduct. Court records show the charge was later dismissed after a judge found no probable cause. Kenosha County Eye has not confirmed whether the Village attorney James Vasselli is the same individual referenced in those reports, and the attorney has not confirmed that connection. Vasselli won’t confirm with KCE, but we highly suspect it’s the same man.
Mathewson also has an active public records lawsuit pending against Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman and Clerk of Courts Becky Matoska, a case that remains under review. In that matter, county officials retained one of the state’s most expensive private law firms, at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars to taxpayers, to defend against the lawsuit. No determination has yet been issued in that case.
Serious Crash Friday Afternoon(Photo by BC) KENOSHA, Wis. — A serious three-vehicle crash in Kenosha’s inner city Thursday afternoon left multiple people injured, including two people whose injuries were considered immediately life-threatening or otherwise required the highest priority for emergency treatment, according to emergency radio traffic reviewed by Kenosha County Eye. Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) Investigators Friday Afternoon(Photo by BC) You must
KENOSHA, Wis. — A boat appropriately named “Double Trouble” found itself in some serious trouble on Lake Michigan Saturday morning when it began taking on water with five adults aboard, prompting a large response from emergency crews and numerous boaters who tried to help. Kenosha Fire Department Deputy Chief Scott Krueger told Kenosha County Eye Saturday afternoon that there was initially considerable confusion
KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Multiple people reported gunfire and bullets apparently flying over Strawberry Creek Golf Course Saturday afternoon, prompting a response from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement. At about 1:40 p.m. Saturday, multiple callers reported hearing shots in the area of Strawberry Creek. People who
KENOSHA, Wis. — An Indian Trail High School student who had read Kenosha County Eye’s reporting about former KUSD math teacher Steven Edward Telkamp wrote an op-ed about the allegations that followed him from the Mukwonago Area School District. That student’s writing made its way to school administrators, who learned
Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — A 19-year-old Twin Lakes man who volunteered at Wilmot High School is facing 11 felony charges after investigators say they uncovered sexually explicit Snapchat conversations, videos and photographs involving a 16-year-old girl, along with evidence that
You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.
Cory K. Wilson, 21, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — Cory K. Wilson, 21, of Twin Lakes, was charged Friday with felony fourth-offense operating while intoxicated after prosecutors say his growing OWI record transformed a March 2025 second-offense case into a felony fourth offense. Despite Wilson’s
Kenneth Gordon Thilmont, 48, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TOWN OF RANDALL, Wis. — Kenneth Gordon Thilmont, 48, of Genoa City, is facing two felonies and three misdemeanors after prosecutors say he barricaded himself inside his home during a mental-health investigation and later violently fought with Kenosha County Sheriff’s
Your rights are like muscles, if you don’t use them you lose them!!!!! Fight the power!!!!
Ok amagansett
👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 bravo Kevin
GET THEM BIG DAWG 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 KEEP IT GOING TAKE DOWN THE DEEP STATE💪🏻💪🏻😎😎
Plus extra for anything beyond a board meeting ?
Almost up in Salems attorney cost territory !
I guess we’re getting a bargain here ! NOT !!
Good Job!! Fight the power!! These elected.officials think they know more and are above everyone else! Have you ever lost a.court case? I don’t remember seeing it if you did.
Good job Kevin, and quite the lucrative little deal for the Antioch attorney $10,000 a month to answer the phone and extra money if he actually has to do anything sounds like a great gig. Sometimes you got to wonder, just kidding – when your clients are paying with someone else’s money it’s all a joke
Kevin,
I would love to have you give us a class or seminar (PAID) on the process of getting Public Records from beginning to end. I have tried, but then don’t know how to move forward properly and confidently when they are denied. ANYONE ELSE????
Great job Kevin! Antioch has a long history of corruption and insider “good ‘ole boy” deals. Thank you for your expertise and diligence in exposing this BS!
Why would Samantha and Becky need to hire outside counsel? Isn’t that what Corporation Counsel is for?
Because tax money has no value to her. She will spend anything to help her image. The county’s attorneys are very terrible attorneys. That’s why they work for the county.
It’s a shame the Republican party can’t find someone who can challenger her and win. Her and the Sheriff are about as Republican as Putin.
These temporary politician spend the people’s money on stupid vindictive BS. When they do they should pay when they’re wrong.
Great job, Kevin!!!
Your email address will not be published.
Serious Crash Friday Afternoon(Photo by BC) KENOSHA, Wis. — A serious three-vehicle crash in Kenosha’s inner city Thursday afternoon left multiple people injured, including two people whose injuries were considered immediately life-threatening or otherwise required the highest priority for emergency treatment, according to emergency radio traffic reviewed by Kenosha County Eye. Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) Investigators Friday Afternoon(Photo by BC) You must
KENOSHA, Wis. — A boat appropriately named “Double Trouble” found itself in some serious trouble on Lake Michigan Saturday morning when it began taking on water with five adults aboard, prompting a large response from emergency crews and numerous boaters who tried to help. Kenosha Fire Department Deputy Chief Scott Krueger told Kenosha County Eye Saturday afternoon that there was initially considerable confusion
KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Multiple people reported gunfire and bullets apparently flying over Strawberry Creek Golf Course Saturday afternoon, prompting a response from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement. At about 1:40 p.m. Saturday, multiple callers reported hearing shots in the area of Strawberry Creek. People who contacted Kenosha County Eye and said they were at the golf course reported
KENOSHA, Wis. — An Indian Trail High School student who had read Kenosha County Eye’s reporting about former KUSD math teacher Steven Edward Telkamp wrote an op-ed about the allegations that followed him from the Mukwonago Area School District. That student’s writing made its way to school administrators, who learned of a connection between the student author and a female student at Bradford
Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — A 19-year-old Twin Lakes man who volunteered at Wilmot High School is facing 11 felony charges after investigators say they uncovered sexually explicit Snapchat conversations, videos and photographs involving a 16-year-old girl, along with evidence that the two had sex. Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes, was charged
You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.
Cory K. Wilson, 21, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — Cory K. Wilson, 21, of Twin Lakes, was charged Friday with felony fourth-offense operating while intoxicated after prosecutors say his growing OWI record transformed a March 2025 second-offense case into a felony fourth offense. Despite Wilson’s recent history of OWI cases, allegedly repeatedly driving while revoked, multiple bail-jumping charges,
Kenneth Gordon Thilmont, 48, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TOWN OF RANDALL, Wis. — Kenneth Gordon Thilmont, 48, of Genoa City, is facing two felonies and three misdemeanors after prosecutors say he barricaded himself inside his home during a mental-health investigation and later violently fought with Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office deputies, injuring two of them. Thilmont was arrested on a warrant Thursday,
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) BRISTOL, Wis. — Lawrence D. Griffin Jr., 54, of Gurnee, Illinois, was charged Thursday with four felonies after prosecutors say he led Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a dangerous high-speed pursuit through the Village of Bristol and onto I-94, reaching approximately 119 mph while weaving through traffic and repeatedly driving into
Leonard D. Taylor, 37, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 37-year-old Kenosha man accused of stealing a Caterpillar excavator and concrete breaker worth more than $47,000 was ordered held Friday on $40,000 cash bail. Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum set the unusually high bail for Leonard D. Taylor, who is charged with felony theft of
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kevin R. Siler, 42, of Kenosha, was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon in connection with the 2019 shooting death of his friend, Joseph Christol, 35, inside Christol’s Pleasant Prairie home. Kenosha County Circuit Judge Jason Rossell sentenced Siler to five years of initial confinement followed by five years of
KENOSHA, Wis. — The City of Kenosha is asking residents to roll up their sleeves and help the University of Wisconsin-Madison defend its championship in the Abbott and Big Ten Conference’s annual “We Give Blood Drive” competition, with a $1 million prize on the line for the winning university. The nationwide competition, now in its third year, combines Big Ten rivalry with an
KENOSHA, Wis. — Three suspects are behind bars after authorities say a confrontation near the Somers Walmart erupted into two simultaneous high-speed pursuits, with one suspect allegedly ramming a marked Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office squad and another crashing into an uninvolved vehicle. Ace Leo Frank, 34, of Elkhart, Indiana; Cody Luigi Frank, 22, of Hudson, Wisconsin; and Sable Russell, 34 were all taken
KENOSHA, Wis. — The Menominee Tribe is hoping for a quick approval of its proposed Kenosha casino, but recent decisions by the U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs are raising new questions about how the federal government will approach off-reservation casino projects. The Department of the Interior recently withdrew approval for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ California
KENOSHA, Wis. — Matthew J. Mortensen, 49, of Burlington, an internet troll who Kenosha County Eye has seen trolling people across the internet and a repeat criminal offender with multiple prior convictions, was given probation Wednesday by Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge David Hughes for a felony fourth-offense OWI. Mortensen faced up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine on the
KENOSHA, Wis. — Congressman Bryan Steil has picked up endorsements from two major southeastern Wisconsin law enforcement organizations as he campaigns for reelection to Congress. The Kenosha Professional Police Association Board and Milwaukee Police Association announced their support for Steil, citing his record on law enforcement and public safety. “The men and women of law enforcement put their lives on the line every
Joseph L. Woodward, 33, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Joseph L. Woodward, 33, of Kenosha, was charged Thursday with felony stalking and four additional criminal counts after prosecutors say he engaged in a months-long campaign of unwanted contact against a woman, allegedly culminating in threats to kill her, her sisters and her children. Woodward, who was already out on bail
Willie J. Brown, 45, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Willie J. Brown, 45, of Kenosha, is facing five criminal charges after prosecutors say he punched his ex-girlfriend in the face five times, took away her phone when she tried to call 911 and then barricaded himself inside a Kenosha home before a tense confrontation with police. Brown, who prosecutors allege
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — Lucas Sandrik, 19, of Salem, a recent Westosha Central High School graduate and wrestler, is facing three felony charges after prosecutors say he crashed an SUV into a parked vehicle and retaining wall in Salem Lakes, then became violently combative with deputies and rescue personnel, biting a Kenosha County
Rolexsea N. Curtis, 25, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 25-year-old Kenosha woman accused of biting one police officer, scratching another until he bled and then spitting directly into the officer’s face was released on no-cash bail Thursday by Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum, further underscoring Kellum’s soft-on-crime approach to bail — even for defendants accused of physically harming law
Kelvin Andrew Smith, 34, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man is facing criminal charges after police say a confrontation with his sisters over a photo he posted of his butthole on the internet escalated into him throwing things inside their home and then taking off in a “dead sprint” when a Kenosha Police officer arrived. Kelvin Andrew Smith,
Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — What was supposed to be a wedding reception at The Vault in Downtown Kenosha erupted into a massive brawl involving an estimated 20 to 30 people after an allegedly uninvited woman showed up and attacked the bride, according to newly filed criminal complaints. Angela Wright, 38, and Rita N. Wright,
Jonathan L. Cox, 40, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 40-year-old Kenosha man with a lengthy criminal history allegedly told a police officer “I’m fucked already” during an OWI investigation this week, and then failed to show up for his first court appearance Thursday. Jonathan L. Cox, 40, of Kenosha, was charged Thursday with operating while intoxicated-third offense as a
Laura Marie Coleman, 40, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 40-year-old Kenosha woman accused of driving drunk for the third time and charged as a repeat offender was released Thursday on no-cash bail by newly appointed Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum. Laura Marie Coleman, 40, of Kenosha, is charged with OWI-3rd Offense as a repeater, which carries a
Serious Crash Friday Afternoon(Photo by BC) KENOSHA, Wis. — A serious three-vehicle crash in Kenosha’s inner city Thursday afternoon left multiple people injured, including two people whose injuries were considered immediately life-threatening or otherwise required the highest priority for emergency treatment, according to emergency radio traffic reviewed by Kenosha County Eye. Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) Investigators Friday Afternoon(Photo by BC) You must
KENOSHA, Wis. — A boat appropriately named “Double Trouble” found itself in some serious trouble on Lake Michigan Saturday morning when it began taking on water with five adults aboard, prompting a large response from emergency crews and numerous boaters who tried to help. Kenosha Fire Department Deputy Chief Scott Krueger told Kenosha County Eye Saturday afternoon that there was initially considerable confusion
KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Multiple people reported gunfire and bullets apparently flying over Strawberry Creek Golf Course Saturday afternoon, prompting a response from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement. At about 1:40 p.m. Saturday, multiple callers reported hearing shots in the area of Strawberry Creek. People who contacted Kenosha County Eye and said they were at the golf course reported
KENOSHA, Wis. — An Indian Trail High School student who had read Kenosha County Eye’s reporting about former KUSD math teacher Steven Edward Telkamp wrote an op-ed about the allegations that followed him from the Mukwonago Area School District. That student’s writing made its way to school administrators, who learned of a connection between the student author and a female student at Bradford
Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — A 19-year-old Twin Lakes man who volunteered at Wilmot High School is facing 11 felony charges after investigators say they uncovered sexually explicit Snapchat conversations, videos and photographs involving a 16-year-old girl, along with evidence that the two had sex. Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes, was charged
You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.
Cory K. Wilson, 21, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — Cory K. Wilson, 21, of Twin Lakes, was charged Friday with felony fourth-offense operating while intoxicated after prosecutors say his growing OWI record transformed a March 2025 second-offense case into a felony fourth offense. Despite Wilson’s recent history of OWI cases, allegedly repeatedly driving while revoked, multiple bail-jumping charges,
Kenneth Gordon Thilmont, 48, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TOWN OF RANDALL, Wis. — Kenneth Gordon Thilmont, 48, of Genoa City, is facing two felonies and three misdemeanors after prosecutors say he barricaded himself inside his home during a mental-health investigation and later violently fought with Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office deputies, injuring two of them. Thilmont was arrested on a warrant Thursday,
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) BRISTOL, Wis. — Lawrence D. Griffin Jr., 54, of Gurnee, Illinois, was charged Thursday with four felonies after prosecutors say he led Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a dangerous high-speed pursuit through the Village of Bristol and onto I-94, reaching approximately 119 mph while weaving through traffic and repeatedly driving into
Leonard D. Taylor, 37, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 37-year-old Kenosha man accused of stealing a Caterpillar excavator and concrete breaker worth more than $47,000 was ordered held Friday on $40,000 cash bail. Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum set the unusually high bail for Leonard D. Taylor, who is charged with felony theft of
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kevin R. Siler, 42, of Kenosha, was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon in connection with the 2019 shooting death of his friend, Joseph Christol, 35, inside Christol’s Pleasant Prairie home. Kenosha County Circuit Judge Jason Rossell sentenced Siler to five years of initial confinement followed by five years of
KENOSHA, Wis. — The City of Kenosha is asking residents to roll up their sleeves and help the University of Wisconsin-Madison defend its championship in the Abbott and Big Ten Conference’s annual “We Give Blood Drive” competition, with a $1 million prize on the line for the winning university. The nationwide competition, now in its third year, combines Big Ten rivalry with an
KENOSHA, Wis. — Three suspects are behind bars after authorities say a confrontation near the Somers Walmart erupted into two simultaneous high-speed pursuits, with one suspect allegedly ramming a marked Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office squad and another crashing into an uninvolved vehicle. Ace Leo Frank, 34, of Elkhart, Indiana; Cody Luigi Frank, 22, of Hudson, Wisconsin; and Sable Russell, 34 were all taken
KENOSHA, Wis. — The Menominee Tribe is hoping for a quick approval of its proposed Kenosha casino, but recent decisions by the U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs are raising new questions about how the federal government will approach off-reservation casino projects. The Department of the Interior recently withdrew approval for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ California
KENOSHA, Wis. — Matthew J. Mortensen, 49, of Burlington, an internet troll who Kenosha County Eye has seen trolling people across the internet and a repeat criminal offender with multiple prior convictions, was given probation Wednesday by Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge David Hughes for a felony fourth-offense OWI. Mortensen faced up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine on the
KENOSHA, Wis. — Congressman Bryan Steil has picked up endorsements from two major southeastern Wisconsin law enforcement organizations as he campaigns for reelection to Congress. The Kenosha Professional Police Association Board and Milwaukee Police Association announced their support for Steil, citing his record on law enforcement and public safety. “The men and women of law enforcement put their lives on the line every
Copyright ©2025 All rights Reserved.
22nd Legal Victory Added to Kenosha County Eye’s Public Records Track Record – Kenosha County Eye
Leave a Reply