County Supervisor Steve Taylor fails to disclose self-named business on ethics statement

Turns out Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor has to update his ethics statement.

Again.

Following questions from the Journal Sentinel, the Milwaukee County Ethics Board and Taylor determined he had failed to disclose his employment with the eponymous firm, Steve Taylor Consulting, LLC, in his statements of economic interests.

While Taylor said he has not been working with his LLC since 2020 due to his time commitment with the ROC Foundation, the charitable arm of Franklin-based sports complex The Rock, he will resubmit his amended 2021 and 2022 SEIs next week. He did not answer questions about his consulting clientele and what policies his firm has to avoid conflict of interest.

"Hopefully Third Time is a Charm," Taylor wrote in a FaceBook comment.

A week ago, Taylor amended his ethics statement after he failed to disclose his employment with ROC Foundation, following questions from the Journal Sentinel.

Social media and records show that with his consulting firm Taylor offers guidance to clients "in their dealings with governmental agencies." As a county official, Taylor is required by county ordinance to disclose information about his job to the Milwaukee County Ethics Board and potential conflicts of interest.

"I don’t like making mistakes nor do I like making the same mistake twice.  Moving forward I guarantee that my SEI will be filled out correctly," Taylor said last week after questions from the Journal Sentinel that resulted in him amending his disclosure to reflect his role with the ROC Foundation.

Even his corrected filing wasn't complete.

Financial filings require supervisors to disclose the "identity of every significant fiduciary relationship, organization associated with and the offices and directorships held by him/her or his/her spouse," according to the Milwaukee County Code of Ordinances.

Adam Gilmore, the executive director of the county's ethics board, said Friday he and Taylor determined that, while he does not value the LLC to be worth more than $5,000, his interest in Steve Taylor Consulting, LLC still fits the description of the organization having an interest of at least 10% or $5,000 of any organization.

Taylor's LinkedIn profile lists him as a principal of Steve Taylor Consulting, LLC from May 2016 to present. The LinkedIn page — as well as the consulting firm's now-defunct website — boasts that Taylor offers a "complete range of services to his clients in their dealings with governmental agencies — at the local, state and federal levels. You can rely on Steve to represent your interests diligently and professionally."

In an email prior to determining he needed to update his ethic statements, Taylor told the Journal Sentinel he updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect the dates he was actively working as a consultant

The LLC's 2020 annual report also stated that the nature of the business is to "assist developers in getting necessary government approvals. Hold town hall style meeting on developments."

The LLC, which was registered on April 26, 2016, has Taylor listed as the principal registered agent for the LLC between 2017 and 2023 (with the latest annual report filed June 26), according to documents filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

The address listed for Steve Taylor Consulting, LLC matches the home address listed in Taylor's campaign finance reports between 2022 and 2023, as well as his cell phone number and personal email.

Previously when asked by the Journal Sentinel about the vetting of ethics filings, Gilmore said that the role the ethics board plays is "custodian" and that the auditing firm Baker Tilly reviews statements of economic interest.

On Dec. 22, Gilmore told the Journal Sentinel he recommended Taylor refile his most recent SEI filing and submit amendment forms for his 2021 and 2022 SEIs.

If the ethics board determines a code violation, it can result in a fine between $100 and $1,000 for each violation.

Taylor has also recently been the subject of a state ethics complaint, in which former Franklin Mayor Stephen Olson alleges Taylor requested $700,000 from the City of Franklin that would partially secure votes from fellow county Supervisor Felesia A. Martin on key Franklin-area projects.

Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on X @Vanessa_Swales.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Supervisor Steve Taylor left consulting business off of ethics filing