Ex public defender, retired judge among 6 charged in Milwaukee County prostitution investigation

A former public defender and a retired judge are among the six people facing charges as part of an investigation into prostitution in Milwaukee County.

Travis Schwantes, a former public defender who once ran for a judgeship in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, faces the most serious charges, including two felonies.

A criminal complaint filed last week alleges Schwantes solicited sex from at least three women, including one who was his legal client. That’s despite knowing that the woman “was being trafficked, suffering from drug abuse issues, or other trauma,” the complaint says.  

He’s also accused of falsifying records so that he could represent that woman as a public defender.

According to the complaint, Schwantes told one of the woman he solicited that he could use his role as an assistant public defender to help clear her outstanding warrants. And it alleges he used protected information from the State Public Defender’s Office to gain information about another woman who he paid for sex.

Schwantes’ attorney, Joseph Bugni, declined to comment Monday.

Court records describe Schwantes as a supervising attorney who often handled felony cases. He resigned from the State Public Defender’s Office in September after being placed on leave in May, office spokesperson Adam Plotkin said.

“These allegations are really concerning to us,” Plotkin said Monday. “Representing our clients in accordance with the rules of professional responsibility is of the utmost importance to the SPD. While these are serious allegations, we have to remember that all people accused of crimes are afforded the presumption of innocence, and attorney Schwantes will be afforded the same.”

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Schwantes late last week. And, on Monday, the DA’s office charged five other men who each face a misdemeanor count of soliciting prostitution.

The other people charged are George Easton, a retired Kenosha County municipal judge, attorney William Green, funeral director Leroy Stewart III, Christopher Reigg and David Ornstein.

A criminal complaint describes Ornstein as an employee of the Milwaukee Fire Department. A fire department spokesperson declined to comment Monday on whether Ornstein currently works for the department.

All six defendants are due in Milwaukee County Circuit Court Dec. 20 for initial appearances.