In a statement emailed to media Wednesday, 26 elected officials and community leaders from Madison called on Madison Alder Charles Myadze to resign in the wake of allegations of domestic violence.
Myadze’s former wife, Jamie Johnson, and former girlfriend Michelle McKoy told Madison365 that he physically and emotionally abused them. Johnson was married to Myadze from 2001 until 2003 and McKoy dated Myadze off and on from 2006 though 2012.
Myadze has denied the allegations.
Last week, the Madison Common Council unanimously passed a resolution pledging “unwavering support” for survivors of domestic violence. Alders Jael Currie and Sabrina Madison both publicly called on Myadze to resign. Currie, who was Council president until last week, and former vice president Yanette Figueroa Cole said in an April 7 statement that Myadze cannot be removed from the Council due to alleged incidents that took place before he was an Alder.
In a statement forwarded to media by County Board Supervisor Branda Yang, the 25 community leaders wrote, “We must believe these women are victims of abuse and are survivors of Alder Myadze. We have two statements, a first hand witness account, and a guilty plea all pointing towards domestic violence perpetrated by Alder Myadze.”
Myadze pled guilty to false imprisonment in 2002 as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. The charge was subsequently expunged after he successfully completed a first offender’s program.
“We call on Alder Myadze to resign, publicly apologize to his victims and the community, and fully cooperate with any investigations,” the statement continues.
The statement is signed by Yang; fellow County Board Supervisors Kierstin Huelsemann, April Kigeya, Aaron Collins, Patrick Miles, Yogesh Chawla, Heidi Wegleitner, Elizabeth Doyle, Matt Veldran, Anthony J. Gray, Jeffrey Kroning, Chad Kemp, Tommy Rylander, Michael Engelberger and Steven Peters; former County Board supervisor Dana Pellebon; State Representatives Francesca Hong, Mike Bare and Alex Joers; Fitchburg Alder Joe Maldonado; Dane County Human Services Co-Deputy Director and former Madison mayoral candidate Gloria Reyes; Just Dane executive director Linda Ketcham; Domestic Abuse Intervention Services executive director Shannon Barry; business owner Lorrie Hurckes; and Madison Street Medicine medical programs director Helyn Luisi-Mills. Madison School Board member Savion Castro added his name to the list on Thursday.
In a statement issued by his attorney, Myadze wrote, “I am disappointed and saddened by the actions of this accuser, whom I deny abusing, physically or otherwise, during our relationship, which ended over an decade ago … Given the circumstances, I can only conclude that the motives behind these recent attacks are political. And if any allegation against me is actually made in a proper forum, I look forward to addressing the matter in Court. I am honored to serve this City, and especially the constituents of my district as their elected member on the Madison Common Council.”
This story has been updated.
