Union Official Receives Threatening Emails After Protest

Investigators with the Caledonia Police Department are working to find the author of a threatening email sent to a man, who had been protesting in front of Van Wanggaard’s (R-Racine) house.

The director of the Kenosha Education Association, Joseph Kiriaki, 57, of Caledonia, received a threatening email Tuesday from someone using an email address of a person, who is currently incarcerated at the Racine County Jail. However, police eliminated that man as a possible suspect.

A local news organization featured Kiriaki in a story about Wanggard wanting a state law to ban picketing in front of homes. The group had been protesting Wanggaard's house because he supported Governor Scott Walker's budget repair bill, which severely limits public unions when they collectively bargain.

Kiriaki said he received two emails, but the last one crossed the line. The author called Kiriaki a derogatory name and stated, “I have become aware of the fact that you like to picket illegally at elected officials homes. This works both ways.” The author then listed Kiriaki’s home address, age, and his wife and children’s names.

Kiriaki said he was going to let the threat go, but his lawyer talked him into calling the police.

He also forwarded the emails to Wanggaard’s office and asked him “not to condone this behavior.” Wanggaard denied having any involvement in sending the emails and said he’s been getting threatening letters too.

“I got a call from the chief of staff and from Wanggaard,” Kiriaki said. “We had a nice conversation and I said, ‘Why don’t you write to these people. If you tell them you don’t support this kind of behavior, then they won’t do it.”

Instead, Wanggaard forwarded the emails to Caledonia’s Police Chief, Toby Schey and the matter is still being investigated.