Waukesha School Board member Diane Voit is accused of misusing taxpayer funded resources and various other potential violations of state statute.
WAUKESHA, Wis. — A Waukesha parent has filed a formal ethics complaint against School Board member Diane Voit, alleging misuse of taxpayer-funded resources, conflict of interest and potential violations of state statutes. The complaint was referred to the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Paul Reese, a longtime attendee of district board meetings, submitted the 86-page filing. It claims Voit used her official district email account for campaign activities while seeking re-election. According to the complaint, she solicited nomination papers, corresponded with the president of a 501(c)(4) organization backing her campaign and copied her personal campaign email on messages from her government account. The filing asks for examination of possible violations of Wis. Stat. § 19.59, the state ethics code for public officials, and § 946.12, misconduct in public office.
The complaint also raises conflict-of-interest issues involving Voit’s family. It alleges that Voit, in her board capacity, emailed Waukesha North Assistant Principal Eric Plitzuweit to encourage nominating her daughter, Greta Voit—a teacher at the school—for the “Wall of Stars” alumni recognition program. Nomination materials cited awards received by Greta Voit, including an “Educator of the Year” honor from GSAFE, an advocacy group on gender identity issues in schools that has previously filed a federal complaint against Waukesha district policies.
Wisconsin law bars public officials from using their position to secure substantial value for themselves or immediate family members. The complaint seeks review of whether involvement in the district recognition program implicates those provisions.
Additionally, the filing notes Voit’s contributions to a GoFundMe fundraiser for Melissa Tempel, a former Waukesha educator terminated after the “Rainbowland” controversy for policy violations. Voit voted to approve Tempel’s termination but later donated to and promoted the fundraiser supporting litigation against the district. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in September 2025; it remains under appeal.
Reese stated the actions form a pattern of using public position for personal and campaign benefit. He contrasted the allegations with a January ethics complaint filed by Voit supporters against conservative candidate Maria Carillo, which alleged a conflict from her charter school employment and led to Carillo’s withdrawal. Voit at the time described that as a “perceived conflict of interest.” Reese called the current matter documented evidence warranting resignation or withdrawal from the race.
The complaint requests independent review by the Wisconsin Ethics Commission and district attorney for adherence to laws on political activity, conflicts, public records, open meetings and fiduciary duties. If substantiated, violations could lead to legal or ethical consequences.
Neither Voit nor the district immediately responded to the complaint.
