Morales draws heat for attending fundraiser with few masks and little social distancing

Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales took some heat on social media Tuesday for attending a fundraising event at a West Allis bar in which few people appeared to wear masks or keep their distance.

Online photos of Morales and a small crowd inside Westallion Brewing Company on Monday showed few masks and little social distancing during a fundraiser for families of fallen police officers.

It raised a few eyebrows, including those of state Rep. Jonathan Brostoff, D-Milwaukee, who criticized the lack of masks visible in the photos and called for Morales’ removal as chief.

“Was he trying to end the corruption within MPD … or working on meeting the directives he was given by the FPC? Nope, he was having a Covid-19 party at the Westallion!" Brostoff wrote on Facebook. "Contact the [Fire and Police Commission] and let them know, he’s gotta go!”

A "Covid-19 party" refers to the national reports of teens and young adults throwing parties in order to catch the virus. Monday's event at the Westallion Brewing Company was a fundraiser for families of fallen police officers. It was also included on an events page for a Republican National Committee website describing it as a meet-up for people who support the reelection of President Donald Trump.

At a noon press event Tuesday, Morales briefly addressed the photos and said he was wearing a mask at the event but removed it for photos with attendees.

"I had my mask and I took my mask off to take some pictures, knowing that was going to hit the media," he said. "I can't answer for the others" in attendance.

In one photo, Morales appears to have a mask pulled under his chin.

Westallion co-owner Kim Dorfner said the photos circulating online misrepresented the precautions taken at the event. She said the business had signs posted on its doors saying masks were required, but people frequently removed them while drinking beer and posing for photos.

Last week, Gov. Tony Evers issued a statewide order requiring everyone to wear masks while indoors or in close quarters with other people. Among the exceptions are those for eating or drinking.

“I felt that people were wearing their masks,” Dorfner said. “We were walking around and making sure people were following orders. We did our best.”

Dorfner said Morales attended the fundraiser for about an hour Monday. She said about $300 was raised from beer sales alone. Morales also noted that a group of people protested the event.

Gina Barton contributed to this report.

Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12.