FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Questions Raised Over Administrative Review Process Following Wisconsin Equal Rights Division Response
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Bradley J. Burt, a self-represented complainant in multiple matters before the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Equal Rights Division (ERD), announced that he has formally preserved objections concerning the handling of evidence, investigator assignments, and the administrative record following correspondence with ERD Administrator Colin Stroud.
According to Burt, his request was not based solely on disagreement with prior investigative outcomes. Rather, he asked the Division to conduct an administrative review addressing what he believes are concerns regarding evidentiary development, chronology, corroboration, record preservation, and confidence in the investigative process.
In a written response, Administrator Colin Stroud stated that ERD investigators are “neutral fact finders” who base decisions on the evidence presented by the parties, that a prior adverse determination is not grounds for reassignment of an investigator, and that the Division preserves records consistent with applicable retention schedules. He also advised that parties may pursue the Division’s appeal process if they believe investigative errors occurred.
Burt subsequently replied that his request concerned specific evidentiary issues—including documentary evidence, chronology evidence, witness credibility, objective corroboration, and accommodation-related communications—and asked that those concerns be preserved within the administrative record.
Later correspondence from Administrator Stroud confirmed that Burt’s submissions would be added to the case file, while subsequent communications directed that future case-specific materials be submitted directly to the assigned investigator or administrative law judge rather than to the Division Administrator.
Burt states that he has also requested independent review by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of his cross-filed charge, asserting that his concerns involve the completeness of the evidentiary record rather than disagreement with any single determination.
The pending administrative appeal involving Frank Productions LLC likewise challenges aspects of the evidentiary record, including the evaluation of witness credibility, chronology, and the availability of objective evidence. Burt has filed an affidavit denying that he made violent threats and asserting that available security footage would support his account of the events.
Burt says the broader issue extends beyond his individual cases.
“My objective is to ensure confidence in the fairness, neutrality, and integrity of the investigative process. My concern is not simply the outcome of one case, but whether documentary evidence, chronology, witness credibility, and objective corroboration receive meaningful consideration during administrative investigations.”
The Equal Rights Division has not publicly indicated that it found misconduct by any investigator. The correspondence reflects the Division’s position that investigators act as neutral fact finders and that disagreements regarding investigative conclusions are addressed through the established administrative appeal process.
Media Contact
Bradley J. Burt
Outpost 422®
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
