After state's mistake, sex offender Michael Fink to be placed in Racine



RACINE (WITI) -- Michael Fink, a convicted sex offender has officially been placed in the Racine community. This, after he was initially placed close to his victim.

"There was a mistake. We are sorry for that. That will be corrected I am confident," Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz said.

Gasiorkiewicz acknowledged the state's mistake in placing Fink close to his victim.

That victim was in court on Thursday, February 14th, waiting to hear where her attacker will be living once he's released.

Fink appeared via telephone from the Sandridge Treatment Facility.

Gasiorkiewicz said while safety is the number one priority for the public and Fink's victims, he said Fink has served his time and paid his debt to be re-integrated back into society.

Fink will be living on South Memorial Drive and 16th Street in Racine, where he will have GPS ankle monitoring for the rest of his life, along with an employee from the Department of Health Services with him for two years.

Fink's attorney Rob Peterson was arguing his client be placed at the new home Friday, but the judge declined, saying a public meeting needs to be scheduled before March 7th -- notifying the public where Fink will be residing.

"I'm glad that they did grant the three weeks and the judge declined the 24 hour placement," Fink's victim told FOX6 News.

Racine Alderwoman Molly Hall was also in court to advocate for a change in the city's law. It is currently being discussed within the Common Council, and would place restrictions on where sex offenders could live.