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Milwaukee Health Department under fire
Milwaukee Health Department under fire
MILWAUKEE -- The embattled Milwaukee Health Department is now at the center of a criminal investigation. That is according to leaders at City Hall.
Nearly a year since news broke that the Milwaukee Health Department was not properly following up with families whose children had been exposed to lead in paint and drinking water, questions remain as to who should be held responsible.
"There's no sense of urgency to this issue whatsoever and there's no excuse for it," said Milwaukee Alderman Tony Zielinski.
Milwaukee Alderman Tony Zielinski
Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton
On Monday, Oct. 22, Alderman Zielinski, a 2020 mayoral candidate, criticized Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton for not subpoenaing former Health Commissioner Bevan Baker to testify about what he knew. Baker resigned amid the scandal.
"If he's going to be an obstruction to other people's efforts, I'm calling on him to step down as president of the Common Council," Zielinski said.
In response, Hamilton issued a strongly worded statement. It reads as follows:
Mayor Tom Barrett said he has taken measures to hold people accountable and supports other agencies doing so well.
"What I've told the people in my administration is to fully cooperate with investigations," Barrett said.
Zielinski said despite the criminal investigation, it is still worth it to ask Baker to testify in front of the Common Council.
Hamilton's office did not get back to FOX6 News for comment.