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Word tonight of a sex scandal at the Milwaukee County Jail. At its center, a Milwaukee County corrections officer. Good evening, everybody. I'm Shelby Cross. And I'm Terry Sater. 12 News investigative reporter Colleen Henry joins us from the jail. And Colleen, the officer was arrested for apparently an improper relationship with a Latin King gang member. Yeah, Terry, the Latin King was an inmate here at the county jail awaiting trial in that highly publicized racketeering case over in federal court.
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That corrections officer is suspended without pay tonight since her arrest last week.
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Sources tell 12 News the romance fired up in one of the pods here at the Milwaukee County Jail. The target of the officer's alleged affection, hardly the most eligible bachelor, 21-year-old Michael Carroll is already convicted of reckless homicide. He's also a target on the street for ratting out fellow gang members to get himself a better deal in the federal Latin Kings prosecution. The officer, Cindy Bartoszewicz, is a 31-year-old bachelor.
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married mother of four. She posted $10,000 bail on Sunday and is free as this investigation continues. I'm her dad. Henry Hojnacki defends his daughter, saying such allegations are a job hazard for corrections officers. He doesn't believe any of it. If I'm being sentenced to 40 years in prison and I'm in a plea bargain and I'm getting knocked down, yeah, I'll say anything you want.
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Just tell me what you want. So he's making it up? I think he is. So she wasn't having an affair with an inmate? No. But federal officials say otherwise, that the officer attended Carol's bail hearing in federal court in October, and just two weeks ago, she bailed the Latin king out of jail. 12 News obtained this court receipt showing she posted $5,000 in cash using her maiden name and her father's Milwaukee address.
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No one answered the door at the Franklin home Bartasiewicz shares with her husband and kids. Her father says he knew nothing about her paying Carol's bail, but he still defends his daughter. Anybody at the Sheriff's Department would say she's one of the greatest ones there. If they had five of her, the jail would probably run better.
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Now, while the officer was arrested and jailed, she has not been formally charged. 12 News has made several attempts to contact her in the last two days with no luck. Meanwhile, the U.S. attorney tells 12 News that that Latin King inmate will face no repercussions for his role in this scandal, saying the Latin King
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is the victim in this case. He remains free on bail himself, though he has gone underground to avoid retaliation from other gang members. And Colleen, the officer, at least for now, off the job? Yeah, Sheriff David Clark suspended her without pay. While the district attorney investigates the case, the district attorney is considering possible charges of misconduct in public office. That is a potential felony, Terry. A case I know you'll be following, Colleen. Thank you.
