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Officials reviewing Geneva Township traffic incident

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Scott Storms

LAKE GENEVA — The president of the Lake Geneva Police and Fire Commission said an officer's report that he became vulgar and unruly during a recent traffic stop is overblown and inaccurate.

Lake Geneva city officials are reviewing what took place when former mayoral candidate Scott Storms was stopped Oct. 14 for speeding in Geneva Township.

A report released by town of Geneva police says Storms flashed a badge when an officer stopped him for driving 70 mph in a 45 mph zone down Dummer's Hill toward Lake Geneva. Officer Kenneth Mulhollon threatened to arrest Storms after he struck the officer in the arm while opening his door and then nearly drove off, according to the report.

Mulhollon said he almost issued a citation for disorderly conduct as Storms continued to argue "about the way his badge was not accepted, and the citation he was issued."

But Storms has a different recollection of the traffic stop, saying he never called the officer "an a———" and didn't intend to use his badge to dodge a ticket.

Storms is not in law enforcement but retired after 25 years with the Bergen County Police Department in New Jersey. He said he showed the badge to let Mulhollon know he was not a threat.

"I had my badge in my lap so he could see it, and he said 'I don't need to see no freakin' badge,'" Storms said. "I wasn't there asking him to not write a ticket."

Lake Geneva Mayor Jim Connors said he read the report and still is reviewing what took place. The mayor is responsible for appointing members to the police and fire commission.

Storms said he already had informed Connors before the incident he would not seek reappointment to the commission when his term is up in April. The two have not yet spoken about the traffic stop, Connors said.

Storms had his first court appearance Oct. 23 and said he plans on pleading guilty to a lesser charge. He was cited for speeding.

Muhollon wrote in the report that both he and Lake Geneva Police Sgt. Bridgette Melotik, who was called to assist, heard Storms say "you're an a———" to Muhollon after he gave him the citation.

Storms then opened his door into Mulhollon's arm, and the officer pushed it shut, according to the report. Storms began to put his car into drive, and Mulhollon ordered him to stay, saying he would arrest him if he didn't.

"I wanted to get out of the car because my daughter started to cry, and he slammed the door on my arm," Storms said.

"If you look into my background, you'll find out I'm probably the most honest person you'll ever meet," he said. "I've never done anything above the law, and I won't. I believe in the law."

The Gazette was not able to reach Mulhollon for comment.

Storms retired from law enforcement in 2002. He said training officers how to act in the field was included in his job duties.

Storms ran for Lake Geneva mayor in April but finished second to Connors.