Updated and expanded at 2:15 p.m.;
Kenosha Ald. G. John Ruffolo pleaded guilty to a felony count of stalking Thursday and was sentenced to probation for three years, given a $10,000 fine and ordered to pay restitution.
As a convicted felon, Ruffolo, the most senior member of the city council with 16 years of service, won't be able to continue to hold office.
Ruffolo was accused of harassing a former girlfriend over a several year period with hundreds of unwanted electronic messages and visits, even after being warned twice by authorities.
The prosecutor in the case, Asst. Atty. General Robert Kaiser, Jr., recommended a three-month jail term in addition to probation. "All efforts to stop him short of prosecution fell on deaf ears, fell on arrogance, fell on a sense of empowerment, fell on a sense of privilege," Kaiser told Judge Bruce Schroeder. "It is time for all those blocks to fall and for him to now take responsibility for what he has done."
Ruffolo's attorney, Pat Cafferty, said his client initially didn't appreciate the gravity of his conduct, but does now following counseling from family and friends. "He came to understand why his behavior was so negative and so unacceptable," Cafferty said in court.
Ruffolo made his own series of apologies during brief comments. "I'm very embarrassed just being here," he said. "I was never brought up that way."
The victim was present in court but chose not to speak.
In passing sentence, Schroeder acknowledged that public officials should be held to the "gold standard." But unlike other public officials sentenced for various misdeeds, Ruffolo's offenses were not connected to the performance of his official duties, Schroeder noted, adding that the conviction was Ruffolo's first.
On the other side of the ledger, Schroeder described the case against Ruffolo as "really ugly," calling it shameful, disgraceful and cruel. "Believe me," he continued, "if you would come back in here for sentencing because your probation got revoked, I can assure you it will be the ugliest day in your life."
According to a spokesman for the Wisconsin Elections Commission, if Ruffolo doesn't resign, he could by forced from office by a court filing. If he would happen to win re-election Apr. 3rd, Ruffolo could not be seated, and a vacancy would have to be declared.
Ruffolo's opponent in the upcoming election is Holly Kangas.
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