MILWAUKEE — The Wisconsin Center District has reached a settlement with former president and CEO Marty Brooks after he was fired for alleged misuse of the district’s credit cards.
The WCD Board of Directors agreed to pay Brooks $350,000 to settle the dispute over his termination, covering wages and damages for “alleged violations of due process.”
Brooks was fired in June after the board found he made payments to Milwaukee politicians using a WCD credit card, and made other questionable purchases for personal use. He appealed the decision, but the district maintains that Brooks was fired with cause.
“With this matter now resolved, the District is focused on the future and on fulfilling its mission to serve our community, partners, guests and the events we host,” Wisconsin Center District Board Chair Omar Shaikh said in a statement.
According to the settlement, neither side admits wrongdoing. The final payout is higher than the $200,000 that the board initially proposed, but much lower than the $900,000 that Brooks initially sought.
The board has created a committee that will search for a new president and CEO later this year.
