On Saturday, August 30, 2025, FOX 11 News reported that Outagamie County Judge Mark McGinnis will resign, effective February 1, 2026, following a criminal investigation that concluded without charges. McGinnis announced his decision in a letter to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Wednesday.
The investigation, led by La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke as special prosecutor, stemmed from a 2021 incident reported by Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization.
The report alleged McGinnis ordered the jailing of an individual who had not been arrested or charged with a crime. Gruenke, after reviewing the case, opted not to file charges, citing several factors: the incident occurred years ago, McGinnis acknowledged it was not his best judgment, and his impending resignation reduces the likelihood of recurrence.
Gruenke also noted the complexity of charging a judge for courtroom decisions, as it raises concerns about the separation of powers between the judicial and executive branches. He stated that judicial errors are typically addressed by appellate courts or the judicial commission, and this case did not warrant criminal charges.
In his letter to Evers, McGinnis did not reference the investigation. He stated that his decision to resign was made years ago, planned for early 2026, coinciding with his 55th birthday, for pension and benefit reasons. By February 2026, McGinnis will have served 21 years as a judge. He also mentioned that the timing aligns with new professional opportunities.
Moving forward, McGinnis plans to focus on educating judges across the United States and internationally, as well as providing legal consulting to people and businesses.
Source: FOX 11
