West Allis deputy fire chief on administrative leave; what we know
The Brief
West Allis Deputy Fire Chief Michael Wright has been placed on administrative leave.
It follows an investigation that coincided with a citizen complaint filed against him.
Attorneys found he violated department policy by using "insulting, defamatory and obscene language" about other employees.
MILWAUKEE - West Allis placed a deputy fire chief on administrative leave, and FOX6 News obtained an investigation that coincided with a citizen complaint against the man that sheds light on the situation.
What we know
Attorneys hired by the firefighters' union and the city's Police and Fire Commission found Michael Wright violated department policy by using "insulting, defamatory and obscene language" about other employees at least four times. The report also found Wright improperly handled an internal investigation.
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The attorneys concluded that Wright does not need "significant punishment" but a written reprimand, suspension or demotion could be "appropriate."
Dig deeper
Wright is not the only public official facing scrutiny in Milwaukee County. Over the past several weeks, Greenfield's police chief was placed on administrative leave, and Franklin's mayor faced allegations of misconduct tied to his time as a Waterford police lieutenant.
Jay Johnson was placed on administrative leave from the Greenfield Police Department over "workplace concerns" after the city said it received "significant allegations" about his conduct. Johnson said the allegations against him include creating a toxic workplace and berating a union worker.
Assistant Police Chief Eric Lindstrom is serving as Greenfield's acting police chief.
Franklin Mayor John Nelson is under fire because of a now-closed investigation from months ago. He was accused of fostering a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and getting paid on-and-off the table when he was with the Waterford Police Department.
FOX6 News obtained records that list some accusations, such as hostile work environment, sexual harassment and improper use of town resources while Nelson was campaigning for mayor in Franklin.
The investigation ended when Nelson retired in October. He has not been charged with any crime.
The Source
FOX6 News obtained a report filed with the West Allis Police and Fire Commission. Information in this story is from that report, as well as prior coverage of other incidents.
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Even when extradition treaties exist, countries often refuse in cases of humanitarian concerns, political motivations, or statute limitations. Extradition Laws: Why Portugal Said No The U.S. requested Wright's extradition immediately after his 2011 arrest. Portugal declined on the following grounds: Portuguese Citizenship: At the time of arrest, Wright was a naturalized Portuguese citizen. Under Article 33 of the Portuguese Constitution, citizens cannot be extradited to another country . At the time of arrest, Wright was a naturalized Portuguese citizen. Under Article 33 of the Portuguese Constitution, . Statute of Limitations: Portuguese law imposes limits on prosecuting old crimes . Even for severe crimes like hijacking, the passage of time can render prosecutorial efforts ineffective. Portuguese law imposes . Even for severe crimes like hijacking, the passage of time can render prosecutorial efforts ineffective. Integration into Society: Portuguese courts found that Wright had committed no crimes under his new identity and had become a contributing member of society. The result: Wright was released. He remains free in Portugal to this day. A Fugitive by Law, Not Lifestyle Unlike fugitives who live on the run—off-grid, constantly moving, dependent on false documents—Wright lived a domestic, stable, and documented life for decades. He paid taxes, raised children, and lived publicly in Lisbon and Almocageme. His ability to avoid detection stemmed from: No biometric systems linking his U.S. identity to his new one No travel on U.S. documents Minimal international travel during the pre-digital age Legal residency and eventual naturalization under a different identity Amicus Analysis: Legal Tools That Extended Wright's Timeline According to legal identity experts at Amicus International Consulting, George Wright's case demonstrates how the following legal mechanisms extend fugitive timelines: 1. Statelessness or Dual Citizenship Wright used nationality laws to his advantage. Many fugitives today use similar strategies by: Applying for economic citizenship in countries like St. Kitts and Nevis in countries like St. Kitts and Nevis Claiming statelessness to avoid repatriation to avoid repatriation Obtaining second passports with no name-match to old arrest warrants 2. Name Change + New National System Unlike forged aliases, legal name changes—especially in countries that don't communicate with INTERPOL—can delay detection for years or decades. 3. Legal Residency and Integration Courts often weigh a fugitive's contributions to society when deciding on extradition. Wright's stable career and family life contributed significantly to Portugal's denial. The International Response: How Governments Are Closing the Gaps Since the Wright case, international law enforcement has accelerated reforms to limit similar outcomes: Biometric integration through Interpol's I-24/7 system INTERPOL Face Recognition System (IFRS) to flag identity matches to flag identity matches Mandatory alias disclosure in extradition frameworks Post-9/11 treaties encouraging dual-national extradition cooperation However, many legal loopholes remain, particularly in countries that: Do not recognize INTERPOL Red Notices as valid arrest warrants Lack of biometric systems linked to global databases Constitutionally block the extradition of nationals Value privacy or asylum protections over international pressure Lessons for Modern Law Enforcement and Clients Seeking Legal Safety George Wright's case provides both a warning and a roadmap. For Law Enforcement: Legacy cases may be solvable through biometric re-scanning and digital integration Traditional extradition channels are ineffective without political and legal alignment Domestic integration may morally conflict with criminal history, but can still be legally valid For Amicus Clients: An Amicus employee noted: 'George Wright didn't disappear. He used the law to reappear as someone else, without hiding his identity. That's the distinction clients must understand: legal transformation is viable when it's documented, ethical, and cleanly executed.' Case Study 2: Reintegration After Legacy Evasion In 2017, a Central American activist living under an old alias in Europe contacted Amicus after a failed visa application revealed a 1985 warrant. Rather than continuing to run, Amicus: Reviewed the statute of limitations Negotiated voluntary disclosure with local immigration Structured a new legal residency with biometric records under her actual name Cleared all bank documentation via KYC transparency procedures Today, she lives legally in southern Europe, with complete legal documentation and no criminal exposure. Why Wright's Case Still Matters It shows the power of paper over pursuit. It illustrates how legal identity structures can override international politics. It proves that living lawfully—under a different name—is possible with strategic foresight. While biometric tracking and AI policing may one day make such escapes impossible, George Wright's 41-year disappearance remains a benchmark for law-based evasion in the transition from an analog to a digital world. 📞 Contact InformationPhone: +1 (604) 200-5402Email: info@ Website:
