The leader of Green Bay is denying accusations that he diverted funds to the bank account of the man who owns the Hotel Northland.
Mayor Jim Schmitt says the aldermen making the claim are followers of Alderman Guy Zima who he calls manipulative and mean-spirited.
Schmitt says the claim that he sent $3.2 million dollars to Keith Harenda’s bank account is false. Harenda owns the Hotel Northland.
The five aldermen also accuse the mayor of requesting $500,000 from the Redevelopment Authority as a bridge loan to keep the project going and to pay contractors and sub-contractors who were working on renovations.
The aldermen say it was a cover-up to actually give the money to Harenda to help him buy out a co-owner of the hotel.
The Brown County District Attorney’s office is looking into the accusations.
