Milwaukee, Wis. – The Wisconsin Center District announced a $350,000 settlement with former President and CEO Marty Brooks, ending the legal dispute that followed his termination in June. The agreement, reached after a public hearing in July, resolves all claims Brooks filed against the board of directors that oversees the Baird Center, the UW‑Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Miller High Life Theatre.
Settlement breakdown
Under the terms of the signed deal, the district will pay Brooks a lump‑sum of $350,000. The payment is divided into two parts:
- $300,000 classified as wages, subject to standard payroll withholdings on a W‑2 form.
- $50,000 designated as damages for Brooks’ claim that the board violated his constitutional right to due process.
The final amount exceeds the board’s initial proposal of $200,000, which Brooks’ attorney, Stephen Kravit, rejected as insufficient under the terms of Brooks’ termination agreement.
Additional terms
The settlement also requires the district to return an uncashed check for $5,041.02. Brooks had written the check to cover disputed credit‑card expenses; the third‑party vendors later reimbursed the district directly. Returning the check is expressly noted as not an admission of fault by either party.
Board’s response
Board Chair Omar Shaikh issued a statement emphasizing forward momentum: “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. The Board of Directors is united in moving forward together and remains committed to the District’s continued success.”
Context of the dispute
The board voted to fire Brooks in June after raising concerns about his use of district credit cards. Brooks appealed the termination, leading to the settlement negotiations that culminated in the July hearing. While the board’s decision was framed as a matter of fiscal responsibility, Brooks argued that the termination process denied him due‑process protections guaranteed by the Constitution.
Impact on the district
District officials indicated that the settlement will not affect ongoing operations or upcoming events at the Baird Center, Panther Arena or Miller High Life Theatre. The board plans to continue its focus on attracting conventions, concerts and community gatherings that generate economic activity for Milwaukee.
What’s next
With the settlement finalized, the Wisconsin Center District will return its attention to programming and capital projects slated for the remainder of the fiscal year. Stakeholders and local businesses can expect the district to maintain its role as a key driver of tourism and cultural events in the Milwaukee area.
Original reporting: FOX6 WITI – local news — read the source article.
