Defendant accused of violating court order

Donald Sims, a pastor embroiled in a legal battle with his church’s board of directors, faces significant court-imposed sanctions after being found in contempt for violating an earlier court order. The complaint was filed by Donald Sims in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court against Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., and board members Antoinette Redd and Virgil Stephens. The case dates back to October 2021 when Sims sought declaratory relief against the church’s board over disputed bylaws.

The dispute began when Donald Sims challenged the validity of the church’s 2019 bylaws, arguing that they were not legally binding and that the 2016 bylaws should govern. These bylaws determined who had oversight over the church’s business and spiritual affairs. Following his father’s death in August 2020, Donald Sims became the Successor Pastor but soon found himself at odds with fellow board members. His legal action claimed that the 2019 bylaws improperly shifted business oversight from him to the board. However, on August 30, 2022, Judge Carl Ashley dismissed Sims’ complaint entirely, affirming that the 2019 bylaws were indeed valid and binding.

Despite this dismissal, Sims continued to manage church affairs, prompting defendants Redd and Stephens to file a motion for contempt against him. They alleged that he violated the court’s order by withholding financial records and continuing unauthorized management activities. The circuit court heard this motion on June 5, 2023, and subsequently ruled that it retained jurisdiction over enforcement matters despite an ongoing appeal by Sims.

The court imposed remedial sanctions on April 2025 after finding that Sims willfully disregarded its orders by engaging in unauthorized financial transactions on behalf of the church. These included using a corporate credit card for personal attorney fees amounting to $36,066.36 and increasing his salary without board approval. The court ordered him to repay these amounts as part of its sanctions.

Represented by attorneys whose names are not specified in this document, both parties engaged in a protracted legal struggle involving multiple judges including Michael J. Hanrahan who issued key rulings post-appeal affirming jurisdictional authority over contempt proceedings. This complex case is identified under Case ID No. 2025AP1169.