APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) - A long-time Outagamie County judge is stepping down after an investigation into a reported controversy over a choice he made on the bench.

Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Mark McGinnis handed in his resignation to Governor Tony Evers on August 27.

Judge McGinnis announced that he will be retiring, effective February 1, 2026, shortly after his 55th birthday.

Nonprofit investigative news outlet Wisconsin Watch reported that the announcement came after a Wisconsin Department of Justice investigation stated that Judge McGinnis jailed a cement contractor, who was in court for different charges, over a private financial dispute in 2021.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke said that Judge McGinnis will not face any criminal charges.

District Attorney G

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