BRIBE OF CRACK ALLEGED FOR EX-COURT CASEWORKER

Drug-for-favor Cited In Complaint Thought To Be An Isolated Incident

A former municipal court caseworker who allegedly accepted a crack cocaine
bribe in exchange for a favorable recommendation in a suspected drug
dealer's cases is to appear in Circuit Court Thursday on a felony drug charge.

Gregory K. Henderson, the former caseworker, made the bribery admission
after he was arrested last week for drinking in public and carrying five
rocks of crack in his coat pocket, according to a criminal complaint.

Henderson volunteered that he was carrying crack during his arrest on the
intoxicants charge. He also told police that he bought some of his crack
from a man who gave him 4 grams of crack for a favorable recommendation in
his municipal court cases, the complaint says.

The man ultimately received the community service time he hoped for in lieu
of a jail term, but Milwaukee Municipal Court Presiding Judge James A.
Gramling Jr. said the disposition was not uncommon for such a case.

Gramling also said that Henderson's former role in the municipal court
process was merely to suggest sentencing alternatives to judges, who have
the final say on sentencing day.

"This had nothing to do with the merits of the case," Gramling said. "Also,
I can say that all indications are that there were no other defendants
involved.

"Personally, I am saddened by the news of his arrest."

Henderson, 42, of the 3100 block of W. Wells St., is scheduled to appear in
Circuit Court Thursday for a preliminary hearing on a felony charge of
possession of cocaine with intent to deliver.

The arrest occurred Thursday in the 3400 block of W. Wells St.

After he was taken into custody, according to the complaint, Henderson
outlined his relationship with the defendant who wound up paying him the
crack bribe. Henderson explained that the man, whom he suspected was a drug
dealer, faced fines of up to $1,600 and jail time of up to 50 days.

Gramling said the man's cases concerned littering, excessive noise and
obstructing an officer.

At the time, Henderson was employed by Wisconsin Correctional Services and
was assigned as a caseworker who recommends sentencing alternatives when
appropriate in municipal court.

Wisconsin Correctional Services is a non-profit agency that provides a
variety of justice system functions on a contract basis at the state and
local levels.

Gramling said that the agency's municipal court caseworkers provide
important information about when alternatives to incarceration or fines are
warranted, typically for indigent defendants.

Henderson insisted that he has "never accepted anything of value" from
anyone other than the suspected drug dealer, according to the complaint.

Henderson also maintained that the community service time was deserved in
the man's case, according to the complaint.

When he was arrested, Henderson said, he and a friend were on their way to
a crack house, hoping to hook up with prostitutes and barter crack for sex,
the complaint says.

The felony charge issued against Henderson carries a prison term of up to
10 years.

Henderson was free on a signature bond Tuesday night.