Francis Grady

Records Paint Bumbling 'Bomber' In Wisconsin Planned Parenthood Attack

Nick R. Martin | April 5, 2012, 1:58PM

Francis G. Grady, 50, exits the courtroom in US District Court in Green Bay, Wisconsin after his initial appearance on April 4, 2012.

(Photo by Corey Wilson/Green Bay Press-Gazette)

Armed with a hammer and a bottle filled with gasoline, Francis Grady allegedly walked up to the back of a Planned Parenthood clinic on Sunday night in Wisconsin and tried to set the place ablaze.

Things didn't exactly go as planned for the 50-year-old ex-con, according to federal court records obtained on Thursday by TPM.

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Planned Parenthood

Wisconsin Bombing Suspect May Have Attended Anti-Abortion Protests

Nick R. Martin | April 4, 2012, 12:17PM

Francis Grady (left) and the Planned Parenthood clinic in Grand Chute, Wis., that was bombed on April 1, 2012

Investigators are looking into the possibility that the man accused in the weekend bombing of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Wisconsin may have been involved with anti-abortion protests there in the past, a police official told TPM on Wednesday.

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Planned Parenthood

Police Arrest 50-Year-Old Ex-Con In Connection With Wisconsin Planned Parenthood Bombing

Nick R. Martin | April 3, 2012, 3:40PM

Planned Parenthood office in Grand Chute, Wisconsin.

Updated: April 3, 2012, 5:55 PM

The man arrested in connection with the weekend bombing of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Wisconsin is 50-year-old Francis Gerald Grady, a police official confirmed to TPM.

Grand Chute, Wis., Police Chief Greg Peterson confirmed the man's name after TPM tracked down information through the local jail.

Peterson said it's still too soon to know whether the man, who was arrested on a probation violation on Monday night, is the same person who bombed the clinic.

However, Peterson said "there's a strong link" between the man and the bombing, based on the information investigators have been able to establish so far.

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Planned Parenthood

Wisconsin Planned Parenthood Bombing Draws Federal Probe, Quick Rebuke From Santorum

Nick R. Martin | April 2, 2012, 12:09PM

Updated: April 2, 2012, 3:57 PM

A small, homemade bomb exploded outside a Planned Parenthood office in Wisconsin on Sunday night, prompting a federal investigation and the swift condemnation of violence by a Republican presidential candidate ahead of the state's primary on Tuesday.

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Wisconsin

Randy Hopper Found Not Guilty Of DUI Charge, After Union-Conspiracy Defense

Eric Kleefeld | March 23, 2012, 5:28PM

Former State Sen. Randy Hopper, Booking Photo

Former Wisconsin state Sen. Randy Hopper (R) was found not guilty by a jury Friday on a charge of drunk-driving, after mounting a court defense that his arrest in October was the product of a conspiracy by the public employee union members who had successfully worked to recall him from office earlier last summer.

The verdict was delivered Friday afternoon, according to the Fond du Lac Reporter.

Hopper and his attorney Dennis Melowski presented a case that public employee union members in Fond du Lac County, the place Hopper formerly represented and where he was arrested for the alleged DUI, have been out to get him for his support of Gov. Scott Walker's legislation that eliminated most collective bargaining rights for public employees.

Melowski did admit at trial that Hopper drank as many as three and a half beers at a Green Bay Packers game on October 16, 2011, before driving home to Fond du Lac with his girlfriend, Valerie Cass. But they were able to persuade a jury for an acquittal, by casting doubt on the motives of both the arresting officer and the family that had phoned the police about Hopper's driving.

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Wisconsin

Recalled Wisconsin State Senator At DUI Trial: I Was Drinking, But It's A Union Conspiracy

Eric Kleefeld | March 23, 2012, 12:34PM

Former State Sen. Randy Hopper, Booking Photo

Remember Randy Hopper, the Republican state senator in Wisconsin who was recalled and defeated in 2011 -- and later in the year was arrested and charged with drunk-driving? He and his lawyer are now presenting their defense in the trial: It's all a political conspiracy by the unions.

The Appleton Post Crescent reports, Hopper and his attorney Dennis Melowski are presenting a case that public employee union members in Fond du Lac County, the place he formerly represented and where he was arrested for alleged DUI, have been out to get him for his support of Gov. Scott Walker's legislation that eliminated most collective bargaining rights for public employees. (Police and firefighters were exempted.)

Interestingly, though, Melowski did still say in court that Hopper drank as many as three and a half beers at a Green Bay Packers game on October 16, 2011, before driving home to Fond du Lac with his girlfriend, Valerie Cass.

So will jurors buy it?

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Voting Rights Act

The Voting Wars Could Get Bloody

Ryan J. Reilly | March 19, 2012, 4:56AM

The key electoral battle in 2012 might be less about who you cast a ballot for, than about whether you get to cast a ballot at all.

Yes, the voting wars are heating up just in time for the 2012 elections. And between the Justice Department's opposition to voter ID laws in two states and several other state and federal cases brought against such laws by various civil rights organizations, the battles are only just beginning.

The Justice Department has already blocked restrictive voting laws in South Carolina, Florida and Texas, and state suits in response may see the Supreme Court take up a direct challenge to the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act this year.

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Voter Identification

Judge Temporarily Blocks Wisconsin Voter ID Law

Ryan J. Reilly | March 6, 2012, 4:51PM

A judge in Wisconsin's Dane County granted a temporary injunction barring enforcement of the state's controversial voter ID law on Tuesday, ruling that enforcing the law on April 3 elections would likely cause irreparable harm.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Circuit Judge David Flanagan ruled that a suit by the NAACP's Milwaukee branch and Voces de la Frontera against Gov. Scott Walker (R) had demonstrated that the lawsuit would probably succeed on its merits. He ordered Walker and the state to immediately cease their efforts to enforce or implement the law, pending a trial on April 16.

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Arizona

Unions Face Off With Koch Group Over Arizona Bills

Nick R. Martin | February 29, 2012, 5:45AM

A protest against bills introduced in Arizona to restrict the rights of unions. Feb, 9, 2012. (Jack Kurtz/ZUMA Press)

The battle over government employee unions in Arizona is far from finished.

As Republican lawmakers marched forward Tuesday on a bill that was previously thought to be dead, two major national groups on opposite sides of the issue were calling in reinforcements.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Veteran Irate At Voter ID Law: 'What The F*ck Did I Go In For?'

Eric Kleefeld | February 22, 2012, 4:35PM

Tuesday was the official launch of Wisconsin's new Voter-I.D. law, with citizens now required to present a photo-identification card in order to cast a ballot in the primaries for local elections. And as it turns out, one man refused to vote, because he was so angry that his card from the Department of Veterans Affairs was not on the approved list.

As the Racine Journal Times reported, 69-year old veteran Gil Paar was shocked when poll workers told him his photo I.D. from the V.A. wasn't on the accepted list. They then asked him if he had a driver's license -- which he did -- but he instead refused to show it and left the precinct. "Basically I was trying to make a point," Paar told the paper. "I gave them four years of my life, why shouldn't I be able to use my vet's card?"

As the paper reports, the state election officials explain that the way the law was written, a military-related I.D. must be issued by a uniform service -- which does not include the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bottom line: For whatever the reason might be, whether intentional or an accident, V.A. cards were not included on the list.

Paar, who described himself to TPM as an "Irish Catholic liberal Democrat" who has donated to President Obama, told us that he too was very surprised at this development.

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Utah

Utah Newest Front In GOP Battle Against Unions

Nick R. Martin | February 9, 2012, 6:07AM

The Utah State House of Representatives, January 2012

Republicans in Utah have opened up the next front in a battle against public unions being waged in statehouses throughout the nation.

A bill introduced last week in the Utah legislature would ban government employees from collectively bargaining on any issue except for wages and health benefits. The proposal would bar unions from having a say in things like training, equipment and disciplinary procedures.

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Arizona

Unions Scramble As Arizona GOP Moves Quickly On Labor Bills

Nick R. Martin | February 1, 2012, 11:54PM

Union members were searching for a way out of the wilderness on Wednesday in Arizona as the Republican-controlled Senate moved ahead quickly on several bills that could devastate organized labor in the state.

The measures caught many union leaders by surprise, being introduced on Monday night and passed in committee less than 48 hours later.

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Arizona

Tougher Than Wisconsin: Arizona Republicans Launch 'All Out Assault' On Public Unions

Nick R. Martin | January 31, 2012, 5:13PM

The Arizona State House of Representatives in Phoenix, AZ

With a sweeping series of bills introduced Monday night in the state Senate, Republicans in Arizona hoped to make Wisconsin's battle against public unions last year look like a lightweight sparring match.

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Wisconsin

Former Walker Aide Copping A Plea In Probe Of Other Ex-Aides

Eric Kleefeld | January 26, 2012, 6:29PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Here is another wrinkle in the charges filed Thursday in the investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from his time as Milwaukee County Executive: One of them has worked out a plea bargain, and will provide testimony against others in the investigation.

The charges were announced Thursday by District Attorney John Chisholm (D). Walker's former deputy chief of staff Kelly Rindfleisch, and former constituent services coordinator Darlene Wink, are charged with illegally raising money while in a county building and using government equipment to do so. (Rindfleisch was allegedly raising money then state Rep. Brett Davis, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2010 Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor, while Wink was allegedly raising money for Walker.)

But interestingly, the charges against Rindfleisch are felonies, while those against Wink are just misdemeanors.

As WisPolitics reports, there does appear to be a plea bargain going on -- that Wink will plead guilty to the misdemeanors, in exchange for her testimony against others in the case. Wink's attorney confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that she is cooperating with the investigation, and hopes to reach a plea bargain.

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Wisconsin

Two Former Walker Aides Charged With Fundraising On Government Time

Eric Kleefeld | January 26, 2012, 12:03PM

Two more people have been charged in the investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from his time as Milwaukee County Executive -- including the person whose original alleged misconduct appears to have set off the whole business to begin with.

The charges were announced Thursday by District Attorney John Chisholm (D). Walker's former deputy chief of staff Kelly Rindfleisch, and former constituent services coordinator Darlene Wink, are charged with illegally raising money while in a county building and using government equipment to do so.

Wink is charged with fundraising for Walker, while Rindfleisch is charged with fundraising for a whole different candidate in another race -- then state Rep. Brett Davis, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2010 Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor. As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel points out, after Davis lost the primary he has since become Walker's state Medicaid director.

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Wisconsin

Milwaukee D.A. Announces Charges Against Ex-Walker Aide, Two Others In 'John Doe' Probe

Eric Kleefeld | January 5, 2012, 3:13PM

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm (D) announced on Thursday charges against three men, including a former top aide to Gov. Scott Walker (R) during his time as Milwaukee County Executive, in two separate sets of criminal allegations.

Tim Russell, a former county aide to Walker, and Kevin Kavanaugh, former treasurer of the Milwaukee chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (and also Walker's appointee to the Milwaukee County Veteran Service Commission), are charged with mishandling funds involved in a military charity project that had been spearheaded by Walker, called Operation Freedom. The money was intended to help wounded veterans and the families of service-members who were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To be clear, Walker's county office itself, in 2010, asked prosecutors to investigate the missing money, after a shortfall of $11,000 was discovered.

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Wisconsin

Former Walker Aide Arrested In 'John Doe' Investigation

Eric Kleefeld | January 5, 2012, 12:08PM

Updated January 5, 12:33 p.m. ET

A new round of arrests has been made in the investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from his time as Milwaukee County Executive. This time, it is three different men, in a matter that reportedly involves serious alleged misconduct for a military charity.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

Tim Russell, a longtime Walker campaign and county staffer, was charged with two felony and one misdemeanor count of embezzlement. One source said the charges are tied to Operation Freedom, an annual military appreciation day held at the zoo.

...

Pierick, 48, was charged with two felonies counts for child enticement. He is an office operations assistant at DPI dealing with education for homeless children and youth, according to the agency's website.

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voter fraud

Fox Falsely Claims 'Mickey Mouse' And 'Adolf Hitler' Are On Scott Walker Recall Petition (VIDEO)

Ryan J. Reilly | December 15, 2011, 1:32PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) shakes hands with Republican legislative members after delivering his budget address to a joint session of the legislature at the state Capitol on March 1, 2011 in Madison, WI.

Fox News reporter Eric Shawn told viewers on Thursday that signatures from "Mickey Mouse" and "Adolf Hitler" were "allegedly on petitions in Wisconsin in the recall for Governor Scott Walker." Fun little story with the potential to go viral? Absolutely. True? Not so much.

In fact, the original story that Shawn evidently built his report off of is about a strictly hypothetical situation discussed by members of the Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board who were asked what would happen if someone signed the petition as Mickey Mouse. There's been no actual allegation that anyone actually signed the petition against Walker that way.

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Wisconsin

First Arrest Made In Wisconsin "John Doe" Investigation

Eric Kleefeld | December 14, 2011, 11:56AM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

The first arrest has been made in the investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) from his time as Milwaukee County Executive -- reportedly for non-cooperation with the investigation by a Walker supporter.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's "No Quarter" blog reports:

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Kenneth Kratz

Judge: Former DA Has Not Established That 'Sexting' Was Part Of His Job Description

Jillian Rayfield | December 14, 2011, 11:02AM

Calumet County, Wisconsin, District Attorney Kenneth Kratz

A federal judge will allow a lawsuit against former Wisconsin DA Kenneth Kratz, who is being sued for sexual harassment by a domestic abuse victim that he "sexted."

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Kenneth Kratz

Sexting Former Wisconsin DA Accused Of Sexual Harrassment By State Agency

Jillian Rayfield | December 1, 2011, 11:12AM

Calumet County, Wisconsin, District Attorney Kenneth Kratz

The Office of Lawyer Regulation in Wisconsin released a report this week that accuses former Wisconsin District Attorney Kenneth Kratz of sexual harassment and eleven violations of state rules of conduct for his alleged "sexting" of domestic abuse victims whose cases he was handling.

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Wisconsin

Randy Hopper, After DUI Arrest: 'Don't Ever Run For Office'

Eric Kleefeld | October 19, 2011, 11:29AM

Former State Sen. Randy Hopper, Booking Photo

More details have emerged of the arrest this past weekend of former Wisconsin state Sen. Randy Hopper on a drunk-driving charge. Hopper, a Republican, was defeated this past August in recall elections stemming from Gov. Scott Walker's anti-public employee union legislation.

Hopper was pulled over into a grocery store parking lot, after witnesses reported seeing him almost cause a head-on collision. The Green Bay Press Gazette reports that officers administered a field sobriety test -- in which Hopper could not keep his balance, and did not correctly recite the order of the alphabet, and then declined to take a breath test.

During the ride in the squad car on the way to the county jail, Hopper tried to start a conversation with the arresting officer, Deputy Nicholas Venne:

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Wisconsin

Ex-Walker Aide Returns To Work After Extended Leave, FBI Raid

Eric Kleefeld | October 18, 2011, 11:13AM

Cynthia Archer, a former aide to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, is back in her state job after her house was raided by the FBI last month.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

Archer reported to her job at the Department of Children and Families for the first time on Monday, eight weeks after her medical leave began, according to department spokeswoman Sara Buschman.

Archer will work half days this week and full days next week, Buschman said. Buschman did not say if Archer's time off this week would be treated as medical leave, vacation or another type of leave.

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Wisconsin

Recalled Ex-State Senator Arrested For DUI In Wisconsin

Eric Kleefeld | October 17, 2011, 12:43PM

Former State Sen. Randy Hopper, Booking Photo

Former Wisconsin state Sen. Randy Hopper, a Republican who was defeated this past August in recall elections stemming from Gov. Scott Walker's anti-public employee union legislation, was arrested Sunday night on a charge of drunk driving.

From the Fond du Lac Reporter

Officers were called to Highway 151 near County Trunk WH about 5:30 p.m. Sunday for a report of a black Suburban "all over the road," according to dispatch logs.

Officers stopped the vehicle and Hopper, 45, the driver, was arrested. He was held in the Fond du Lac County Jail for 12 hours and released early today, said Sgt. Renee Schuster.

According to dispatch logs, passengers in the car included Valerie Cass, 25.

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Scott Walker

Walker Spokesman Given Immunity In Investigation -- Has No Comment

Eric Kleefeld | September 23, 2011, 6:02PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's (R) spokesman, plus two supporters, have now been granted immunity in the ongoing campaign finance investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from Walker's time as Milwaukee County Executive.

WisPolitics reports:

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Wisconsin

Wis. Attorney General Says Politics Didn't Play Into DOJ Not Being Part Of Walker Probe

Eric Kleefeld | September 22, 2011, 1:00PM

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen (R)

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen (R) has confirmed that state Department of Justice staff are not participating in the apparent investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from Walker's time as Milwaukee County Executive -- but says it was by the "mutual agreement" of both his office and the Milwaukee District Attorney's office.

Van Hollen's comments follow a report that his office had declined a request for assistance from the Milwaukee District Attorney's office.

"The actual decision came down to very legitimate legal and logistical ones," Van Hollen told ABC affiliate in Madison. "Once this is all completed and the information comes out, it'll be very clear why our decision was made."

When the station's reporter asked whether the fact that both Van Hollen and Walker are Republicans played into his decision, Van Hollen responded: "Politics never plays a role in any of the decisions we make at the Department of Justice."

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Wisconsin

Report: Wis. Attorney General Declined To Help With Walker Investigation

Eric Kleefeld | September 21, 2011, 11:41AM

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen

In the latest development in the apparent investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) from his time as Milwaukee County Executive, it has now been reported that state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, a fellow Republican, has previously declined a request from Milwaukee's Democratic district attorney to assist in the investigation.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

State Department of Justice officials would not say why the agency chose not to assist with the investigation of Walker's former county staffers.

Sources said the request was made around the time of the November 2010 election.

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Wisconsin

Walker: I Only Know About Investigation From The News

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2011, 4:13PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has spoken publicly on the apparent investigation of former aides from his time as Milwaukee County Executive -- saying that he does not know any of the details.

"We don't know what exactly is involved," Walker told the Associated Press on Friday, when asked at an unrelated event in Milwaukee.

He also added: "Until we know, obviously it's a concern but again, I don't know any more details than what I've seen reported in the media outlets around the state."

The "John Doe" investigation -- a secret proceeding in which witnesses can be subpoenaed to testify under oath, but are forbidden from talking publicly about the case -- is reported to have originally stemmed from a staffer resigning in 2010, when she was found using her county time to post reader comments on online newspaper article promoting Walker's gubernatorial candidacy and criticizing his opponents.

Wisconsin

'John Doe': How Blog Comments Have Launched Probe Of Walker

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2011, 11:49AM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

The ongoing ethics probe of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's (R) time as Milwuakee County Executive all stems from a uniquely modern-day source -- blog commenting.

For his part, Walker has not commented publicly on the latest developments, the Associated Press reports -- he was out of the state on Thursday, campaigning for Republicans in Kentucky, and his office has declined to comment.

The trouble all began in 2010, when Walker was a candidate for governor. Darlene Wink, his constituent services coordinator in the county, resigned after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that she had been using state time to post comments on the paper's articles, promoting Walker and criticizing his opponents in the gubernatorial race.

For example, one comment criticized Walker's opponent in the Republican primary, former Congressman Mark Neumann: "Conservatives need to listen to what Neumann is really saying - the true conservative in the race for Governor is Walker." Wink posted her comments under the handle "RPMCVP" -- a reference to her dual position as vice chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Republican Party.

Since her resignation, the investigation has continued very much under the radar. An additional part of the murkiness of the situation is that the investigation is what is known in Wisconsin as a "John Doe" investigation -- a secret proceeding in which witnesses can be subpoenaed to testify under oath, but are forbidden from talking publicly about the case.

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Wisconsin

FBI Raids Home Of Walker Aide

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2011, 1:38PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Updated: September 15, 2:37PM

The FBI on Wednesday raided the Madison home of a former aide to Gov. Scott Walker, as part of an ongoing investigation.

The home of Cynthia A. Archer was raided Wednesday morning, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Archer had previously been a top aide to Walker when he was Milwaukee County Executive. She has owned her Madison home since 1988, rented it out during her years working for Walker in Milwaukee County, and then moved back when he became governor.

There is currently an ongoing investigation into whether county employees engaged in political activity for Walker when he was the executive.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office confirmed to TPM that a deputy was present at Wednesday's raid, but was not involved in the investigation itself -- only to provide security outside the house. When asked for comment by TPM, the FBI referred questions about the matter to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office. The D.A. office declined comment. TPM also contacted Archer, who declined to comment citing a request from law enforcement.

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Wisconsin

Wis. Employee Fired For E-Mail Defying Voter-ID Policy

Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2011, 3:47PM

Image From Laura Gangi Pond / Shutterstock

Updated: September 8, 2011, 4:40 PM

Chris Larsen, a low-level Wisconsin state employee, was fired for the apparent cause of using his work e-mail to mock and disparage state policy to his co-workers, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The policy in question: The state's decision for DMV employees to not tell citizens about the availability of free photo identification to satisfy the state's new Voter-ID law, unless they ask first.

Larsen, a limited-term employee at the state Department of Safety and Professional Services, sent this e-mail Thursday morning to colleagues, encouraging them to tell all their friends about the free ID cards:

"Do you know someone who votes that does not have a State ID that meets requirements to vote? Tell them they can go to the DMV/DOT and get a free ID card. However they must ask for the free ID. a memo was sent out by the 3rd in command of the DMV/DOT. The memo specifically told the employees at the DMV/DOT not to inform individuals that the ID's are free. So if the individuals seeking to get the free ID does not ask for a free ID, they will have to pay for it!!

"Just wanted everyone to be informed!! REMEMBER TO TELL ANYONE YOU KNOW!! ANYONE!! EVEN IF THEY DON'T NEED THE FREE ID, THEY MAY KNOW SOMEONE THAT DOES!! SO TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!"

He was subsequently fired for misuse of e-mail.

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Wisconsin

Wis. Official To DMV Employees: Don't Offer People Free Voter-ID Cards Unless They Ask

Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2011, 11:41AM

Image From Laura Gangi Pond / Shutterstock

The Madison Capital Times reports that in the latest development in the controversy over the state's new Voter-ID law, recently passed by state Republicans, a memo written by a state Department of Transportation official instructs employees at the Division of Motor Vehicles not to directly offer applicants the option of a free photo identification card -- but only to assist if people directly ask for it.

The option of free photo identification is necessary in order to prevent the law from clearly becoming a poll tax -- a tax or fee required in order to vote, which was made unconstitutional under the 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1964. Unless applicants check the appropriate box on the DMV's new forms, there will be a fee of $28.

The memo written by Steve Krieser, executive secretary at the Department of Transportation, instructs DMV employees: "While you should certainly help customers who come in asking for a free ID to check the appropriate box, you should refrain from offering the free version to customers who do not ask for it."

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Liberal Wis. Justices: Gableman Assault Never Happened

Eric Kleefeld | September 2, 2011, 5:20PM

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Michael Gableman and Ann Walsh Bradley

The members of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's liberal minority have been firing back at conservative Justice Michael Gableman, regarding his allegation that liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley -- who recently accused conservative Justice David Prosser of grabbing her neck in an altercation -- had hit him in the head either two or three years ago.

On Thursday, news emerged that the original date Gableman had given, September 18, 2008, came at the early part of a two-week period when the court did not meet at all. Gableman then released a statement saying that he had remembered the date of September 18, -- his birthday -- but the year had been 2009, not 2008: "In any event, the incident happened exactly as I related it to the officers and as it was set forth in the report. While Justice Bradley might not be able to recall it, I certainly do."

On Friday, the two other liberal justices chimed in to further deny Gableman's newer story. Justice Patrick Crooks, along with Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, released this statement:

I am emailing the following statement on behalf of myself and the Chief Justice.

As stated previously, no incident as described by Justice Gableman, and no similar incident, ever occurred in our presence.

Thank you.

Justice Patrick Crooks
Wisconsin Supreme Court

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Wis. Justice Prosser Recuses Self In Case Involving His Recount Attorney

Eric Kleefeld | September 2, 2011, 1:12PM

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser has recused himself from a prominent case on campaign-finance regulations that is coming before the court, in the wake of objections that he would have a potential conflict of interest -- because the lead attorney for the Tea Party groups challenging the regulations, Jim Troupis, was just recently Prosser's own attorney in the recount of his very close re-election campaign.

Prosser sent a letter to all the various parties in the case, stating simply:

Dear Counsel:

Please be advised that I will not participate in the oral argument or decision in Wisconsin Prosperity Network v. Myse.

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Wis. Justice Gableman Issues Correction -- Says Bradley Hit Him In Sept. 2009, Not 2008

Eric Kleefeld | September 1, 2011, 5:24PM

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman

Updated: September 2, 2011, 2 p.m. ET

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, a conservative, is responding to criticism from the court's liberals, regarding his allegation to investigators that liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley hit him during a court meeting on September 18, 2008 -- a date when the court did not meet. Gableman's answer is that he is correcting a lapse of memory: It did happen on September 18 -- but in 2009.

Gableman made the allegation during the investigation of a physical altercation in June, about which Bradley accused Justice David Prosser, the leader of the court's conservatives, of grabbing her neck in a "chokehold." Prosser replied to investigators that Bradley charged at him, and he reflexively put up his hands to block her, accidentally making contact with her neck. Ultimately, no charges were filed.

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

More Accusations Fly In Wisconsin Supreme Court -- And More Rebuttals

Eric Kleefeld | September 1, 2011, 12:43PM

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Michael Gableman and Ann Walsh Bradley

The drama continues on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, following the investigation of a physical altercation in which liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley accused conservative Justice David Prosser of grabbing her neck in a "chokehold." Now there is a whole new round of accusations of an alleged incident -- pointing to a date when the court may not have even met at all.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that during the investigation, conservative Justice Michael Gableman made a counter-allegation, saying that Bradley once hit him in the head during a court meeting way back in September 2008, over a perceived disrespect of Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson.

To which the liberal bloc has replied: No meeting took place at all on that date or even that week, due to a request by conservative Justice Patience Roggensack that the court take a two-week period off.

The paper also reports that former Justice Janine Geske, a Republican-appointed judge who served on the court during the 1990s and is now a law professor at Marquette University, disputes a key element of Gableman's story: "I have known Justice Bradley for 20 years. I cannot imagine her hitting another justice in anger because he (Gableman) called Justice Abrahamson 'Shirley' -- because everybody calls her Shirley."

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Prosser To Investigators: Contact With Bradley's Neck Was A 'Total Reflex'

Eric Kleefeld | August 26, 2011, 3:19PM

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser

Friday saw the release of the official documents in the investigation of the alleged physical altercation at the Wisconsin Supreme Court -- in which liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley accused conservative Justice David Prosser of grabbing her neck in a chokehold during an argument. A special prosecutor announced Thursday that no charges would be filed.

The event occurred on June 13, during an argument over the court's decision to uphold Gov. Scott Walker's anti-public employee union legislation, with Prosser in the court's 4-3 conservative majority and Bradley in the liberal minority, along with Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson. Prosser wanted to release the court's decision quickly, at the urging of the state legislature, but Abrahamson disagreed. Prosser and Abrahamson argued over the matter at Bradley's office, with Prosser just outside the door, and Bradley and Abrahamson inside the office itself. Prosser has maintained that Bradley "charged" at him, and he then put up his own hands as a reflex action, briefly making contact with her neck.

Even skimming the papers, which have been posted online by the Wisconsin State Journal, they reveal a detailed portrait of a court that is deeply dysfunctional, breaking down into personal factions along partisan lines.

During the court's initial meeting with Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs, conservative Justice Patience Roggensack told Bradley that she did not condone Prosser's actions during the altercation, but also said "Ann you do realize you goad him." Also, in their later separate interviews with law enforcement, Prosser and his fellow conservative Justices Annette Ziegler and Michael Gableman all described Abrahamson and Bradley as having a "mother/daughter" relationship.

On the other side, Bradley has had growing concerns about her safety and Abrahamson's. Bad relationships have been building up on the court over a long period of time, most notably in a February 2010 incident in which Prosser told Abrahamson "you are a bitch," and also added: "There will be a war against you and it will not be a ground war."

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Prosser: Bradley 'Made The Decision To Sensationalize' Wis. Supreme Court Chokehold Accusation

Eric Kleefeld | August 25, 2011, 3:51PM

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser

The special prosecutor in Wisconsin determined Thursday that there will be no charges brought in the alleged physical altercation at the Wisconsin Supreme Court -- in which liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley accused conservative Justice David Prosser of grabbing her neck in a chokehold during an argument. But that isn't stopping Prosser and Bradley from continuing to fight in the court of public opinion.

Thursday afternoon, both Prosser and Bradley released statements reacting to the special prosecutor's decision, which followed two months of investigation since the incident occurred in mid-June.

"Justice Ann Walsh Bradley made the decision to sensationalize an incident that occurred at the Supreme Court," Prosser said in his statement.

He also added: "I was confident the truth would come out - and it did. I am gratified that the prosecutor founds [sic] these scurrilous charges were without merit."

Prosser also thanked his supporters: "Being in public service has been the honor of my life. I cannot express enough thanks for the hundreds of good wishes I've received from people across the state in the last several weeks."

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Special Prosecutor: No Charges In Wis. Supreme Court Alleged 'Chokehold' Incident

Eric Kleefeld | August 25, 2011, 12:09PM

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser

The special prosecutor appointed to investigate the alleged physical altercation at the Wisconsin Supreme Court -- in which liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley accused conservative Justice David Prosser of grabbing her neck in a chokehold during an argument -- has officially decided that no charges will be filed in the incident.

WisPolitics reports that Sauk County District Attorney Patricia Barrett -- a Republican who agreed to make a determination in the case after numerous officials in Dane County (Madison) had recused themselves -- officially informed Dane County Circuit Chief Judge William Foust and District Attorney Ismael Ozanne in a letter that she had reviewed the evidence provided to her from the investigations:

After a complete review of the documents and photos, listening to the audio interview and meeting with Det. Hansen, I have determined that no criminal charges will be filed against either Justice Bradley or Justice Prosser for the incident on June 13, 2011.

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Wisconsin

Lawsuit Charges Wisconsin Voter ID Law Violates State Constitution

Ryan J. Reilly | August 22, 2011, 11:15AM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

The controversial voter ID law signed by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) violates "right to vote" provisions of the Wisconsin state constitution, opponents of the law preparing to file a lawsuit in state court argue.

The Journal Sentinel reports that the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin will file suit against the law in Dane County Circuit Court on Monday.

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