News - Franklin Mayor Faces Investigation Over Alleged Misconduct

Franklin Mayor John Nelson is involved in an investigation initiated by West Allis police concerning potential misconduct in his public office. This follows the unsealing of a search warrant in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, aimed at obtaining records from Meta Platforms related to two Facebook accounts associated with Nelson. The investigation seeks to determine if city resources were used improperly for political purposes. Although the warrant does not criminally implicate Nelson, it has garnered significant attention due to previous allegations from his time with the Waterford Police Department. These allegations include creating a toxic work environment, making inappropriate sexual comments, misusing departmental resources for his mayoral campaign, sharing inappropriate images, and mishandling employee matters. While these allegations were never thoroughly investigated, as Nelson retired during the internal review, they continue to overshadow his public service. Details from the search warrant reveal that misconduct allegations were seriously considered after an ethics complaint suggested city funds were used to manage a politically linked Facebook page associated with Nelson. Prosecutors found probable cause, which led to the judge-approved search warrant on October 28, compelling Meta to provide the necessary data while keeping the investigation confidential from the account holders. Currently, no charges have been filed against Nelson, and the investigation remains active. Nelson has yet to publicly comment on the developments. Efforts by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to get Nelson’s perspective have not resulted in an immediate response. The investigation is attracting considerable public interest and scrutiny as past allegations resurface, challenging both Nelson’s professional legacy and leadership integrity. Residents and observers are awaiting the outcome of this ongoing investigation, which could have further implications for the political landscape of Franklin. For more information or to provide tips, contact Adrienne Davis, south suburban reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, at amdavis@gannett.com or follow her on X at @AdriReportss.