Police reportedly saw Ald. Mike Verveer in the presence of marijuana at a downtown restaurant earlier this month.
Officer Carrie Hemming of the Madison Police Department smelled marijuana when she was making a routine restaurant inspection. Using her flashlight, she saw Ald. Verveer, District 4. Hemming left quickly and later explained the incident to her sergeant. The MPD is currently reviewing the incident and Hemming's report. MPD has not released the report due to the internal investigation.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz spoke with Verveer as soon as he saw the police report,"" according to his spokeswoman Rachel Strauch-Nelson. Cieslewicz will ""wait for results of the internal investigation before he jumps to any conclusions,"" said Strauch-Nelson.
Verveer was at Zander's Sports Lounge on 118 State St. to eat dinner and watch a badger hockey game, according to an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal. Both Verveer and restaurant owner Mohammad Barketallah deny that any illegal activity took place.
Verveer said of the incident, ""I didn't smell anything. I didn't see anything. I didn't use anything."" He reported he was recovering from the flu and believes his sense of smell may have been dulled at the time.
Barketallah said in an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal, Zander's floor space is open and is ill suited for doing drugs.
Shortly before leaving the establishment Verveer spoke with Barketallah for a few minutes. In the interview, Verveer said their conversation was out of courtesy; they are merely acquaintances.
Verveer is an active member of the Alcohol License Review Committee, and he maintains relationships with many downtown bars. His five-year appointment will end in April. In an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal council President Pro Tem Mark Clear, Clear said the incident's conflict of interest may push Verveer away from the ALRC, but the Mayor will have the final decision.
