The two apparently made quite the ruckus!
Not-so-Independent Monitor to ‘take appropriate action’
Two DEI police critics were arrested on multiple charges in downtown Madison Friday night 12-19-25.
One of them is Maia Pearson, vice president of the Madison Metropolitan Board of Education and president of the City of Madison Police Civilian Review Board. She was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest
The other is Brandi Grayson-Tuck, CEO of county human services contractor Urban Triage. She was arrested for three counts of disorderly conduct and one of drunk driving. All are misdemeanors.
Madison police were withholding further details “due to who the people are; they’re pretty well known.” The charges are being referred to the district attorney’s office, which may or may not bring charges. Police officials this morning told the Policy Werkes that the report is “lengthy.”
UPDATE: Madison Police did release the following later today:
10:53 p.m. December 19, 2025: Employees of a business on [the 100 block of] E. Doty Street called police and reported that a vehicle had driven over cones into a loading zone and a disturbance was occurring as a result. The employees reported they asked the driver to park elsewhere when things escalated.
Occupants refused to exit their vehicle when officers arrived on scene. Both were removed by officers. An officer could smell an odor of intoxicants on the driver’s breath.
She refused field sobriety tests and was taken to the hospital on a warrant for a blood draw.
The driver, Brandi E. Grayson-Tuck, 45, was arrested for three counts of disorderly conduct and OWI.
The passenger, Maia E. Pearson, 38, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Both were medically cleared at the hospital before being taken to the Dane County Jail. An internal investigation and review will occur into this incident. MPD is aware of a review also being done by the Office of the Independent Police Monitor and is cooperating with that review.
Other source indicate to the Policy Werkes that the incident was witnessed by the public and captured on cell phone.
Brandi and a bullhorn
In a previous incident in July 2025, Brandi Grayson was charged with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.
Ms. Grayson-Tuck has been a Defund the Police and reparations advocate. At Urban Triage, she pays herself $290,242/year, according to links to IRS Form 990. That’s almost double the governor’s salary of $152,756; almost double the mayor’s pay, too. The website for the county-contracted organization says it combats “taste [sic] violence, mass incarceration, housing shortages, police brutality [and fights for] equity, and social justice.” (“taste violence” appears to be a misspelling for “state violence.”)
She also held up traffic on the John Nolen causeway for three days in an anti-police George Floyd protest for which she was never arrested. (Details here.)
Talk about a conflict of interest!
UPDATE: The interim police monitor announces SHE “has begun a comprehensive review” of the arrest of the chairman of her own oversight board! Of the woman, Maia Pearson, who hired her!
“Based on the initial review of available video evidence and preliminary materials, some aspects of the encounter raise serious questions that require thorough and careful review. … At the conclusion of the investigation, the Office of the Independent Police Monitor will take appropriate action and, consistent with applicable law and process regarding outcomes. (Full Statement here)
Who polices the monitor?
Pearson told alders in November that her Police Civilian Oversight Board was investigating 13 cases of civilian police complaints but in its three years but has yet to complete a single report. The board oversees the Independent Police Monitor who quit in October 2025 saying (in effect) police give him the hives. The Board hired a temporary monitor out of Baltimore for what amounts to a salary of $148,992 a year. Aeiramique Glass Blake is suing Baltimore, charging racism.
In a failed attempt to zero out the position, Ald. Isadore Knox Ald. Knox said the Independent monitor had “a history of ineffectiveness.” Knox served on the Oversight Board for two years.
Pearson ran unsuccessfully in 2024 for the State Assembly as a Democrat. Grayson’s agency also has contracts worth about $118,000 through the City of Madison.
Blaska’s Bottom Line: If Blaska had been elected to the school board (like he should have been) and caused this commotion, progressives would be howling for his resignation.
17 responses to “Madison school board veep & Brandi Grayson arrested”
Who oversees the Overseers? Are the thirteen complaints public records?
Apparently not. Might be worth a try, tho.
It’s always delicious when progressives’ pet projects, like the police oversight board, blow up in their faces. How many times does Brandi have to get arrested before she’s finally booted off the city payroll? Oh, wait, she’s an angry black woman, so there’s no limits on her bad behavior, at least in Madison. In answer to your final question, what else can he be expected to do? As to “taste violence,” don’t be too hasty in assuming it’s a typo. People like Brandi and organizations like Urban Triage are always dreaming up new types of violence (directed at professional victims like themselves, of course). If your taste differs from hers, Whitey, you’re guilty of taste violence.
Not much chance of the DA charging them. However if he does, it will be the usual “don’t do this again” warning, and go on your way.
Ozanne knows that if he does charge them, he’s likely to be visited by Brandi’s shock troops at his own home. Devonere Johnson’s followers did the same thing after he was arrested in the summer of 2020.
If captured on police body camera this will give the city council another reason not to have all police wear them.
My understanding is a DUI has specific penalties that cannot be circumvented so at least that should stick despite Catch-and-Release Ozanne’s attempts. No one is above the law.
In a perfect world video, not just bits and pieces should be released. Good or bad. This has been the case in other cities when a high profile person or persons have been arrested. Looks like the news stations have picked this up and it has exploded all over social media. People are angry and fed up and they (MPD, Mayor, etc…) may have no other choice then to release video footage. But oh wait, if said video does not favor those arrested we all know what happens….Brandi being Brandi and blaming everyone but herself and the god awful white man. Will Madison take notice this time.
Nothing but the best and brightest for Madison, right?
Im am sure the only point these idjits were trying to make is to prove how racist mpd is still. Kwanzaa came early, how many millions will be awarded to each after they sue.
Give them a break, they were probably celebrating Jesus’s Birthday.
Karma
only in Mad town.
Isn’t taste violence if my dear Blaska would wear a pink plaid suit to a City Council meeting? And then defy Grayson and her comrades to take appropriate action? This kind of regulation of good taste does occur in Madtown.
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