
CC / Bahao Zhao
***UPDATE***This is the second time we have posted this story. We removed the first one after receiving a call from a lawyer representing Judge Robert Dewane requesting we remove it due to the fact that the complaint had not yet been received and processed. The complaint has now been processed and can be found with case number 22CV660.
A Manitowoc man has filed a lawsuit against a Manitowoc County Judge, a Court Commissioner, and the State of Wisconsin.
Markola Williams filed the suit against Judge Robert Dewane, Court Commissioner Luke Lefevre, and the state claiming parental discrimination.
In the suit, Williams states that Lefevre only granted him two, four-hour visits per month while knowing that the mother “did not want to allow [Williams] in the Childs life.”
He also told Seehafer News directly that Judge Dewane and the mother of his children had a previous relationship through a recovery center in Manitowoc.
Williams went on to claim in the suit that he was not given the opportunity to respond to several changes in court dates and that Judge Dewane threatened him.
He quoted the judge as saying that he and the mother needed to settle contempt and counter contempt claims or they would “both leave with a bad day.”
Williams also played us a recording of one of his hearings, where out of frustration, he laughed off a statement made by Judge Dewane.
The Judge then held him in contempt, despite, in Williams words, “there was never a warning that [he] could not show emotion” in the courtroom.
Williams’ suit, which he filed himself on June 1st, cited several previous court rulings and asked for a jury to hear his case.
You can read the full suit below, with only William’s address blacked out per his request.













