A Milwaukee alderman facing federal charges of extortion and bribery must remain in jail until his trial, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, overruling the decision of a magistrate judge who one day earlier set bail at $10,000.
The public would be better served if Alderman Michael I. McGee Jr. remains behind bars pending trial than if he were released on bail, Federal Judge Rudolph T. Randa said.
McGee is charged in federal court with extorting money from business owners in his district in exchange for favorable treatment on licensing matters.
On Monday, Magistrate Judge Patricia Gorence had set McGee's bail at $10,000 but imposed sharp limits on his contacts with others.
Federal prosecutors responded by filing a formal request asking Randa to overrule the decision. They argued that McGee had tried to intimidate witnesses and sway testimony while behind bars, and he would be likely to ignore any court restrictions if he were to be released.
McGee was arrested on Memorial Day on the federal charges and on state charges that include election fraud and on conspiring to commit assault. He posted $50,000 bail last month on the state charges but instead of being released, he was taken into federal custody on the extortion charges. |
