Wisconsin Legislator Pleads Guilty to Disorderly Conduct in Feud Over Hispanic Resolutions

State Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez fined $300 for misdemeanor charge related to dispute with fellow Democrats

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:18am

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A Wisconsin state legislator has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct stemming from a bitter feud with her Democratic caucus over resolutions honoring Hispanic heritage and veterans. Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, a Milwaukee Democrat, was charged in February and entered a guilty plea on Friday, agreeing to pay a $300 fine.

Why it matters

The case highlights the partisan tensions and infighting that can sometimes arise within legislative bodies, even among members of the same party. The dispute over the Hispanic resolutions led to allegations of threats and exclusion, underscoring the challenges lawmakers can face in trying to honor diversity and inclusion.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, the feud began in August as Democratic members of the state Assembly were planning resolutions for Hispanic Heritage Month. Ortiz-Velez grew angry because she believed an unnamed lawmaker drafting the heritage resolution had intentionally excluded her from working on it, even though she had been invited to participate earlier. Ortiz-Velez then allegedly threatened to spread "negative personal information" about the resolution's author to the media if her demands were not met.

  • The feud began in August as Democratic members of the state Assembly were planning resolutions for Hispanic Heritage Month in September.
  • Ortiz-Velez entered a guilty plea on Friday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

A Democratic state representative from Milwaukee who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Greta Neubauer

The Assembly Democratic Minority Leader.

Priscilla Prado

Another Milwaukee Democratic state representative who allegedly did not allow Ortiz-Velez to participate in the Hispanic resolutions.

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What they’re saying

“My voting choices caused a rift that has been ugly and bitter. My constituents did not send me to Madison to litigate internal caucus disputes or be distracted by the personal feuds — they sent me there to deliver results.”

— Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, State Representative

What’s next

The judge in the case ordered Ortiz-Velez to pay a $300 fine and submit a DNA sample. No further legal action is expected.

The takeaway

This case highlights the partisan tensions and infighting that can sometimes arise within legislative bodies, even among members of the same party. The dispute over the Hispanic resolutions led to allegations of threats and exclusion, underscoring the challenges lawmakers can face in trying to honor diversity and inclusion.