By C.Kimberly Toms | June 26, 2025
The Honorable Tony Evers
Governor of Wisconsin
115 East State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Governor Evers,
I am writing to bring to your immediate attention critical failures within Wisconsin’s justice system that are not only compromising survivor safety but creating conditions that may endanger Wisconsin citizens. As a survivor of violent crime, I have witnessed firsthand how systemic breakdowns in Waukesha County have transformed what should be protective processes into mechanisms that further empower dangerous offenders.
Wisconsin must immediately enact legislation prohibiting the use of violent crime cases with living victims in political campaign materials, advertisements, and debates. The political use of my case by the campaign of Lori Kornblum vs. Maria Lazar exemplifies this dangerous practice. My offender’s name, case details and mugshot were blasted throughout 12 counties and this action was reported by television news media in Milwaukee, possibly beyond. When politicians weaponize these cases for electoral gain, they exponentially increase risks to survivors. Every campaign ad, debate reference, and social media post featuring a survivor’s case provides the offender with additional justification for retaliatory behavior while amplifying their sense of victimization. Politicians benefit from the publicity, then walk away—leaving survivors to face the escalated danger alone. This practice transforms survivors into unwilling political pawns while putting their lives at greater risk.
The complete breakdown of transcript management in Waukesha County represents a fundamental failure of judicial administration. For five years, transcripts from my offender’s case were “lost,” resulting in countless court hearings that served only to delay justice while prolonging my trauma. While I refuse to extend grace to a violent criminal, these delays also violated his due process rights—creating legal vulnerabilities that ultimately harm survivors. We were one hearing shy of a retrial decision when the transcripts appeared. The court reporters have not, to my understanding, been held accountable. This administrative incompetence demands immediate oversight and accountability measures for court reporting services statewide.
The conduct of Waukesha County officials has systematically destroyed victim protections while emboldening a dangerous offender. Judge Lazar’s courtroom declarations labeling other victims as “liars” and questioning my credibility—despite a jury’s guilty verdict and seven years of federal Joint Task Force documentation supporting my testimony—sent a clear message to my offender that the system views him as the true victim. More recently, the District Attorney’s office engaged in an inappropriate “off the record” courtroom rant directed at me regarding lost transcripts, when I have every right to be both frustrated by and publicly vocal about such failures. These unprofessional behaviors have allowed my offender to build confidence in his victimhood narrative and “righteousness”—attitudes that will persist when his probation ends in less than one year.
Evidence suggests inadequate supervision of my offender during probation. Despite court-ordered alcohol restrictions, he maintains specific drinking patterns that correlate with escalatory behavior, typically occurring between 11:30 PM and 2:00 AM Wisconsin time. Following this exact pattern, a pizza was delivered to my North Carolina residence in April 2024—the same day court records were updated with my current address. This “gift” delivery is his established method of confirming victim locations throughout my 13 relocations for safety. The timing and method indicate ongoing
stalking behavior under probationary supervision, suggesting either inadequate monitoring or deliberate oversight failures.
Fines, fees and restitution have remained unpaid throughout my offender’s time in jail and four years of probation. It is my understanding that offenders are encouraged to pay these down—so why is he not being pressured to do so? At one point, he tried to request his bail money returned to him when that is supposedly set aside for my restitution. As of right now, the court has recorded these amounts due by “2099.” I believe they are unchecked. This lack of financial accountability further demonstrates the system’s failure to hold him responsible while sending yet another message that his obligations to his victims are meaningless.
Waukesha County’s failures extend far beyond my case. According to political advertisements, this is a “dangerous, vicious serial rapist.”
This is not a reformed individual who made a mistake. This is a highly trained, previously empowered, systematically overlooked criminal – my attempted murderer not prosecuted for such – who has been locally antagonized by judicial failures. Corrections officers contacted me and reported that he fully blames me for his situation, feels “embarrassed” by what I have done “to him,” and views himself as suffering from PTSD due to “all of this.” Even more concerning, he informed corrections officers that he is writing a book intended to harm me upon his probation’s end. Each failure to preserve victim dignity in Waukesha County’s courtrooms increases the likelihood that he will commit vengeful acts against me or—more probably—against Wisconsin women who lack my resources and awareness.
Governor Evers, Wisconsin faces a public safety crisis rooted in systemic justice failures. I respectfully demand:
The clock is ticking. My offender’s probation ends in under one year. Every day of inaction increases the danger to Wisconsin citizens. I urge you to act swiftly to prevent the predictable tragedy that current conditions are creating.
Wisconsin’s failures in my case extend to the very moment I sought help. After my rape, I contacted multiple law enforcement officers within the state seeking assistance, but they refused to even speak with me because my offender was an active special agent. While four other states similarly failed me—forcing me to travel alone to Washington, DC to secure federal intervention—there is no excuse for Wisconsin’s abdication of duty to protect its citizens from violent criminals, regardless of their professional status or connections.
I must be clear: my offender will reoffend against me in some capacity. This is not a question of “if” but “when.” Given Wisconsin’s systematic failures, he will likely target me in my new home state of North Carolina. I can only hope that when he does, the victim’s journey here proves less problematic and more dignified than what Wisconsin has provided.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this critical matter. I am available to provide additional information and documentation as needed.
Respectfully,
C.Kimberly Toms
Have you experienced or noted similar issues as part of and/or after criminal prosecution? Have you utilized government channels to rectify these problems? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Connect on LinkedIn to discuss.