DOJ asked to investigate retiring Madison College president’s deal

A Republican state legislator is asking the Wisconsin Department of Justice to investigate an agreement to pay retiring Madison College President Bettsey Barhorst to be on-call after her departure.

Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, called the agreement to pay Barhorst $88,000 through the end of the year a scam. He accused the MATC Board of violating the open-meetings law.

“If she doesn’t even get a phone call between now and the end of the year, she gets $88,000. This is rather tragic where the taxpayers are concerned, and hopefully the attorney general will be successful in being able to void this contract,” said Nass.

Nass said the public should have been informed that the outgoing president was going to get paid $88,000 to consult the incoming president of MATC until the end of December, especially since she was already making nearly a quarter-million dollars.

“The DOJ needs to seek the maximum fine against board members and attempt to void the agreement,” Nass said.

Nass also accused the board of providing Barhorst with health insurance benefits that exceed the terms of her employment contract.

MATC President Jack Daniels started last week. He told News 3 that if there’s a need to cut short Barhorst’s agreement, he would take that up with the board.

In a recent interview with News3, Barhorst justified it, saying she needed the help when she first started.

Former MATC district board member Noel Radomski said he has since reconsidered the decision to pay Barhorst.