Local News
Home Of Local Councilwoman Searched By Authorities
Authorities descended on the home of Fond du Lac City Councilwoman Arletta Allen Tuesday morning.
As of 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, KFIZ News saw at least 4 law enforcement vehicles parked in and around the home located on N. Park Avenue in Fond du Lac.
There’s been no official word given as to the reason behind the search.
Allen is also the owner of A Family Affair Soul Food Kitchen, which is the focus of two separate investigations following a burglary in September and a fire in October.
KFIZ News has learned the burglary investigation is being investigated by the City of Ripon Police Department. KFIZ News reached out to Ripon Police Chief William Wallner, who told us his department was contacted by the City of Fond du Lac Police Department, on October 6th . Chief Wallner said he had initial conversation, and was forwarded reports the next day. October 7th.
KFIZ News reached out to City of Fond du Lac Assistant Police Chief of Operations Steve Klein, and asked when the investigation into the burglary was handed over to an outside agency. Assistant Chief Klein responded by saying
“After reviewing the information in this report and the fact that the complainant Ms. Allen is a current sitting member of the Fond du Lac City Council, I recommended to Chief Goldstein that an outside Department be brought in to take over the investigation to avoid any perceptions of a conflict of interest. Chief Goldstein agreed with my assessment. I contacted Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt on September 22, 2021, to ask if his agency would be willing to take over this investigation. Sheriff Waldschmidt indicated he would discuss that possibility with his Chief Deputy and would get back to me with an answer.
On September 30, 2021, I received an e-mail from Sheriff Waldschmidt that indicated they were declining to take over the investigation as they felt they may also be subjected to perceptions of a conflict of interest.
On October 6, 2021, I spoke with Chief Wallner of the Ripon Police Department to see if his agency would take over the investigation into this incident. After speaking with him, Chief Wallner agreed to assign an investigator from his Department to take over this investigation. I e-mailed Chief Wallner a copy of all the investigative reports for this incident the following day.
The Ripon Police Department has officially taken over this investigation.
That investigation surrounded a burglary and vandalism report filed by Ms. Allen, who reported late in the day of September 4th, 2021, that someone had entered her restaurant and caused extensive damage, including damage to steam tables and cutting wires throughout the restaurant. At the time, Allen accused her ex-husband, Troy Allen, of causing the damage. Mr. Allen told KFIZ News he had nothing to do with the damage.
The State Fire Marshal has been investigating the fire that broke out at A Family Affair on Sunday night, October 11. The damage from the fire caused the restaurant to be closed.
City of Fond du Lac Fire Chief Peter O’Leary said the decision to send the fire investigation on to the state level is pretty standard procedure, when the damage exceeds $500, and on fires of unknown origin.
A social media post made by Ms. Allen back on October 16 said “the police and fire department performed a very thorough investigation. So of those results take time to return.”
None of the officials we communicated with mentioned that the investigations were completed.
The search of the home of Ms. Allen would mean the investigations are still ongoing.