A Kenosha alderman allegedly stalked and harassed an ex-girlfriend for over three years, even though he received a verbal warning from police that was followed by a written warning that threatened prosecution.
Led into court in handcuffs Wednesday, G. John Ruffolo was charged with one count of stalking, punishable by up to three-and-a-half years in prison. Bond was set at $10,000.
The eleven-page criminal complaint details hundreds of unwanted contacts that began when the woman--in her mid-40s---broke off her relationship with Ruffolo in Feb. of 2014.
According to the complaint, Ruffolo drove by the woman's Kenosha County home and Mt. Pleasant workplace on numerous occasions. He allegedly used a "spoofing" app to disguise his phone number when phoning and texting, all in a mis-guided effort to rekindle the romance.
Ruffolo continued to drive by the woman's house, even after knowing that she'd set up a video camera. On one occasion he dropped off flowers, and on another, a bottle of wine.
Eventually, police obtained a search warrant that enabled them to put a tracking device on Ruffolo's car to document the visits.
In court Wednesday, Ruffolo sat stoically as an attorney for the state Department of Justice requested a $50,000 bond.
In arguing for much lower bail, Ruffolo's attorney, Pat Cafferty, noted that none of the allegations against Ruffolo involved any type of physical threat or harm.
If convicted as charged, Ruffolo would more than likely have to give up his council seat. State statutes require that elected officials be eligible to vote. A felony conviction automatically removes that privilege.
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