Holly Meyer

Post-Crescent Media

NEENAH — Postmaster Brian Smoot told Post-Crescent Media on Monday that an investigation is underway into whether a city mail carrier dumped hundreds of pieces of Republican campaign fliers into a recycling bin.

The post office recovered nearly 880 pieces of political mailings Thursday from a dumpster at a Neenah apartment complex, said Bob Rukes, special agent for the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

"We have an ongoing investigation on this here," Rukes said. "If it's determined that there is wrong doing by a postal employee, the end result can be all the way up to removal and/or criminal prosecution."

Smoot would not comment on the employment status of the mail carrier under investigation.

Most of the campaign fliers were "Get Out the Vote" direct mailings from Republican Mike Rohrkaste, who reported the incident to the post office Thursday after a resident emailed him about the mail.

"It's unfortunate somebody made a choice that shouldn't have ever happened because nobody should have their mail disrupted," Rohrkaste said. "My main concern was getting my message out to the voters of the 55th District."

Rohrkaste, a former human services manager, is running against Democrat Mark Westphal for the 55th state Assembly District seat. The winner replaces Dean Kaufert, who didn't seek re-election after being elected Neenah mayor.

Westphal said he had no knowledge of the incident until Post-Crescent Media called him for comment.

"I just think it's unfortunate that it happened and will let the investigation take its course. I trust what the post office can do with their investigation, but certainly don't condone those type of activities," Westphal said.

The found mail also included direct mail from Republican State Sen. Glenn Grothman, who is running for the 6th Congressional District seat, and messages from a third party in support of Republican Roger Roth, who is vying for the 19th state Senate District seat, Rohrkaste said.

The Grothman campaign was told about the incident and is waiting to hear the results of the investigation, said Andy Post, spokesman for the campaign.

"We're disappointed that Republican mail pieces were trashed before reaching voters, but we're not completely shocked," Post said. "Shenanigans happen in election years and we hope the investigation finds the person responsible for depriving voters of fair information about Glenn Grothman."

Agents don't think this incident was politically motivated.

"So far the investigation has determine that it was just a bad decision involving a postal employee, but nothing that indicates that it was targeted to a specific candidate or political party," Rukes said.

Once the investigation is complete, agents will present their findings to the post office. Investigators can also present a report to a U.S. Attorney or the local district attorney for criminal prosecution, Rukes said.

The standard mail fliers were inventoried and delivered to recipients on Friday, Rukes said. Rohrkaste praised Smoot and a Post Office supervisor for their quick response on the matter.

Holly Meyer: 920-993-1000, ext. 426, or hmeyer@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @HollyAMeyer