By Shereen Siewert
Marathon County Administrator Brad Karger will receive $8,598.66 in compensation for time he spent on unpaid administrative leave stemming from his participation in a peace rally more than three years ago.
The Board of Supervisors approved the compensation request during a meeting Tuesday at the Marathon County Courthouse. In return, Karger signed a full release for any claims that potentially could have extended from that disciplinary action.
Then-Wausau police chief Jeff Hardell, who has since retired, and Marathon County Sheriff Scott Parks objected to Karger’s participation in the May 2016 rally that aimed to support fairness in the criminal justice system. Several other local leaders were present, but critics said Karger crossed a line by participating in the march itself. Additionally, some board members in 2016 felt the rally was anti-law enforcement, something organizers denied.
Ultimately, the board in 2016 voted to place Karger on a 30-day unpaid administrative leave. Supervisors on Tuesday approved the request for compensation by a vote of 29-7, with two members absent.
Karger is set to retire at the end of the year.
