Wisconsin Dem lawmaker fires campaign manager after child sex crime conviction revealed

Diego A. Rodriguez had managed Democratic state Rep. Priscilla Prado’s reelection campaign for approximately 10 months while serving as vice chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Latino Caucus. As first reported by H. Nelson Goodson of Hispanic News Network, Rodriguez pleaded guilty in Waukesha County to one felony count of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. Three misdemeanor charges involving sex with a child age 16 or older were dismissed under a plea agreement but read into the record at sentencing, according to The Heartland Post.

He was sentenced in April 2016 to five years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision. Rodriguez has been listed on Wisconsin’s sex offender registry since Jan. 22, 2016, with his registration scheduled to continue until June 3, 2040.

The Journal Sentinel reported that a criminal complaint alleged Rodriguez, who was 20 at the time, attempted to meet an undercover police officer whom he believed was a 15-year-old boy for sex and had sexual interactions with a 16-year-old. Rodriguez was a church youth leader at the time.

According to the original reporting, investigators said Rodriguez began communicating through the dating app Grindr with someone he believed was a 15-year-old named "Dustin," who was actually an undercover Waukesha Police detective.

Investigators said the undercover officer warned Rodriguez during the conversations that the encounter could land him in jail. Rodriguez continued communicating and arranged a meeting at a Wendy’s on Moreland Boulevard before being arrested in a nearby parking lot.

Years later, Rodriguez became deeply involved in Wisconsin Democratic politics. Hispanic News Network reported that Rodriguez was working as Prado’s campaign manager and political consultant as the Milwaukee Democrat sought reelection in Wisconsin’s 9th Assembly District. He also canvassed for Democratic Assembly candidate Ismael Luna in the neighboring 8th District.

Rodriguez also held an elected volunteer position as vice chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Latino Caucus. Dan O’Donnell of The Heartland Post documented social media photographs showing Rodriguez with Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore and Wisconsin judicial candidate Pedro Colon. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Instagram account also featured Rodriguez at a victory party for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley following Crowley’s August Democratic primary victory. Earlier that day, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Latino Caucus posted video of Rodriguez canvassing and encouraging others to join him.

Rodriguez was also involved in criminal-justice advocacy. His LinkedIn profile identified him as Coalition Coordinator for Justice Forward Wisconsin, an organization focused on criminal justice reform. Earlier this year, Wisconsin Watch interviewed Rodriguez in that capacity about Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' revived program for commuting prison sentences.

Discussing safeguards intended to prevent dangerous inmates from receiving commutations, Rodriguez told Wisconsin Watch, “If somebody still poses a threat to the community, they’re not going to let them out.”

Rodriguez argued that inmates who demonstrated genuine remorse, accepted responsibility, and showed long-term change may reach a point where continued imprisonment no longer serves a rehabilitative purpose. He also argued that commutations could improve public safety by reducing overcrowding in Wisconsin prisons.

Prado terminated Rodriguez after his criminal history became public. “A recent article highlighted the problematic background of a member of my campaign,” Prado told the Journal Sentinel. “The conduct of this individual is completely unacceptable, and once this information came to light, I made the immediate decision to terminate him from my campaign.”

The Journal Sentinel reported that Rodriguez had managed Prado’s campaign for approximately 10 months before his firing and that Prado said she learned about his criminal history through the recent reporting. “Going forward, I plan to employ a more thorough vetting process and assure my constituents that my focus continues to be on serving the people of the 9th Assembly District and the City of Milwaukee,” Prado said.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin also removed Rodriguez from his position in the Latino Caucus. A party spokesperson confirmed to the Journal Sentinel that Rodriguez no longer held the position. Luna also cut ties with Rodriguez.

Luna told the Journal Sentinel that Rodriguez had been an unpaid volunteer rather than an employee of his campaign and said Rodriguez would no longer volunteer or attend campaign events. “As a survivor of sexual abuse myself, I understand how painful these issues are, and I would never minimize the harm experienced by survivors,” Luna said. “Sexual abuse and exploitation are serious, and survivors deserve dignity, support, and justice.”

Rodriguez’s involvement in Democratic politics extended to campaign contributions as well. In a subsequent investigation published Wednesday, The Heartland Post reported that Wisconsin Ethics Commission filings list 86 campaign transactions associated with Rodriguez.

The outlet reported that Rodriguez contributed $100 on May 28 to the campaign of Democratic state Rep. Ryan Clancy. Clancy was one of six Assembly Democrats who voted against Assembly Bill 677, legislation establishing the crime of grooming a child for sexual activity as a felony. The bill passed the Assembly 93-6.