The Milwaukee assistant city attorney who last week backed Russian President Vladimir Putin in an appearance on Russia Today TV and who previously worked for anti-Islamic "hate groups" is out of a job.

City Attorney Tearman Spencer's termination notice to the city's Department of Employee Relations on Monday cited only "Job performance. Poor fit." as the reason to end Jennifer DeMaster's employment with the office. The notice did not contain additional details, and neither DeMaster nor Spencer immediately responded to requests for comment Monday.

Assistant City Attorney Nicholas Zales also had his employment in the office terminated Monday, according to Department of Employee Relations Director Makda Fessahaye. That notice cites only "job performance" as the reason.

A voicemail left at a phone number listed as associated with Zales and a message through LinkedIn were not immediately returned.

Both were on a probationary status, Fessahaye said.

"I am not aware of anyone else being terminated during probation in the City Attorney's Office during my tenure," said Fessahaye, who confirmed to her position in January 2021.

Spencer hired DeMaster and Zales after a major exodus of attorneys from his office, with some citing a "toxic work environment" under the relatively new city attorney. Spencer was elected in April 2020.

The two attorneys were hired last year and worked in the litigation division, which had struggled to meet court deadlines due to the staffing shortage. The...

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