Wisconsin Center District vote; terminate employment of CEO, Marty Brooks

MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Center District Board of Directors on Monday, June 8, voted to terminate the employment of CEO Marty Brooks for cause. The allegations include questionable credit card transactions.

Specifically, the Wisconsin Center District publicly said their major findings and concerns center around three areas:

• Misuse of Wisconsin Center District Funds
• Violations to the Bylaws and the Employee Handbook
• Misrepresentation to the Board

The Wisconsin Center District receives tax money: 0.5% on food and beverages sales in Milwaukee County, 3% on hotel rooms in Milwaukee County, a 7% hotel room tax in the city, and 3% on car rentals at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

It runs the Baird Center, the UWM Panther Arena, and the Miller High Life Theater. 

Vote to terminate Brooks' employment

What we know:

Board members tell FOX6 News that Brooks is alleged to have used the corporate card to buy expensive shoes and to make political donations. 

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According to board members, Brooks is alleged to have used a corporate credit card to make political donations, which is not allowed. That includes donating to Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Johnson's campaign said they are going to reimburse any money that came from the district's credit card. 

Sources also say Brooks made donations to the David Crowley for governor campaign. State records show Brooks made a $2,000 donation to Crowley in October 2025. A Crowley campaign representative tells FOX6 News that Crowley will return the $2,000. On Crowley's donation page, it says donations must be made with a personal credit card, not a corporate card. The campaigns do not have a way to see if a card is corporate or personal. 

Another donation was made to the campaign of Milwaukee Common Council President José Pérez.

"Today I learned that Mr. Brooks made a contribution to my political campaign several years ago using a WCD credit card (not appropriate). I have begun the process to return that campaign donation," said Pérez.

While today's vote was unanimous to fire Brooks, Pérez. who is on the board, abstained from the vote. 

"I want to make it clear that I abstained on the vote because an observer could think that I might have a conflict, given that I reported Mr. Brooks’ inappropriate conduct. However, his termination had nothing to do with my complaint," said Pérez.

In the fall, Pérez accused Brooks of pinching his butt, something Brooks fiercely denied. The Milwaukee Police Department investigated, but the District Attorney's Office declined to bring charges.

What's next:

The firing of Marty Brooks does not go into effect right away. It gives Brooks the chance to fight it. 

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For now, Brooks is placed on administrative leave. 

Calls to Brooks and his attorney went unanswered. 

The board approved naming board president Jim Kanter as chief of staff to the board. He says he'll report to the board on daily district operations.

"I want to make sure everyone knows that the Wisconsin Center District remains operationally very strong and focused on serving customers, partners and the community. Events continue. Customer commitments continue. Partnerships continue," stated Kanter after the board meeting. 

"Most importantly, we want employees, customers, partners and stakeholders to know that the Wisconsin Center District remains focused on its mission and the important role it plays in our community. We appreciate the professionalism and dedication of our employees and remain committed to serving Milwaukee and our stakeholders," added Kanter.

VISIT Milwaukee also responded to the leadership shake-up. 

"We have tremendous confidence in the Wisconsin Center District Board, in Jim Kanter as chief of staff, as well as the WCD leadership team and their staff as they navigate this transition. We also have full confidence in the Wisconsin Center District and Levy teams to continue delivering the exceptional level of service, hospitality, and execution that our convention, meeting, and event clients have come to expect in Milwaukee," stated Peggy Williams-Smith, President and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee.

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