TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) filed a lawsuit in Lincoln County on Feb. 1, against Semling-Menke Company, Inc. Other parties, including the Dempsey Law Firm LLC, the Faye A. Semling Survivor Trust, IncredibleBank Foundation Inc., and March Street Members LLC, were also included in the lawsuit. The complaint alleges that SEMCO violated Wisconsin’s business closing law when it notified employees on December 30, 2019, that their employment would be terminated and it was ceasing operations effective December 30, 2019, the very next day. Wisconsin Statutes require a business to give 60 days notice prior to closing its doors.
The lawsuit asks for $682,864.90 in unpaid wages and benefits due to 140 employees, plus penalties of 100% of that amount, essentially doubling the figure to request a final money judgment for $1,257,729.80. The lawsuit also asks for a lien on all of SEMCO’s property, both real and personal, that is located in Wisconsin.