"I'm always professional and gentlemanly:" In audio recordings, West Allis Police Chief confronts Steven Zelich
WEST ALLIS (WITI) -- For the first time, we are hearing from the former West Allis police officer accused of hiding two bodies in suitcases -- and dumping them in the Town of Geneva. The West Allis Police Department released audio recordings from when Zelich was an officer there in 2001 -- following an incident that eventually led to his resignation.
The audio recordings share a conversation between the West Allis Police Chief and Steven Zelich. In them, the chief confronts Zelich about accusations of harassment and intimidation against women.
Zelich has pleaded not guilty to two counts of hiding a corpse out of Walworth County.
The big question still unanswered: Did Steven Zelich, a former West Allis police officer, kill Laura Simonson of Farmington, Minnesota and Jenny Gamez of Cottage Grove, Oregon during bondage sexual encounters?
Zelich's attorney says he killed the women accidentally during sexual encounters.
Officials in Minnesota and Kenosha County are still considering whether to file murder charges against him.
According to the criminal complaint filed against Zelich out of Walworth County, he has admitted to causing the deaths of both Simonson and Gamez. Detective Jeffrey Recknagel says Zelich told him he killed the women accidentally after separate sexual encounters that were rough and included bondage.
Zelich told police he met Jenny Gamez in person in late 2012 or early 2013 in Kenosha County.
Zelich told officials he met Laura Simonson personally in Rochester, Minnesota in November of 2013.
Before Zelich wore an orange jumpsuit, he wore a badge with the West Allis Police Department.
Document show a history of discipline against Zelich within that department, and now audio recordings give us an inside look as to what Zelich was accused of doing.
West Allis Police Chief: "Do you think it's proper Steve, for an officer on duty, in uniform, to be continually approaching a woman and asking her out for lunch?"
In the audio recordings, the West Allis Police Chief confronts Zelich -- accusing him of using his police power to pressure women into going on dates.
Zelich: "My behavior was never badgering. It was always casual."
Zelich admits to passing out business cards he created to single women while on duty.
West Allis Police Chief: "Have you ever passed out your business card while on duty -- and given a citizen your home phone number?"
Zelich: "Yes."
In the recordings, Zelich is accused of constantly asking women out -- and hanging around their workplaces.
West Allis Police Chief: "As chief and as administrator many years, I don`t ever recall a business owner calling the station to complain a squad was in the area too often. Do you know why she would call?"
Zelich: "No. That seems unusual to me. Most businesses love to see us."
In the recordings, Zelich defends his behavior -- never admitting to any wrong-doing.
Zelich: "Never was I pushy or out of line. I`m always professional and gentlemanly."
It is important to point out, it's not the current West Allis Police Chief on the recordings.
In May of 2001, a prostitute told police Zelich wouldn't let her out of a bedroom at his West Allis apartment. She says she heard the sound of handcuffs, and she said Zelich went ballistic.
The woman says Zelich body-slammed her to the floor and choked her.
The woman told police she thought she was going to die -- telling investigators she even asked Zelich if he was going to kill her.
The prostitute, who managed to escape, went to police and told them Zelich was "nuts."
None of the accusations against Zelich, including the altercation and physical struggle with a prostitute in 2001 ever led to charges against him.
Zelich writes in his resignation letter that he offered to resign so that charges would not be referred.
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