Burke's words contradict his actions
10:35 AM 5/13/02
Scott Milfred State government reporter
indent On the same day that Sen. Brian Burke, D-Milwaukee, told a statewide television audience that taxpayers should not pay legislators' legal bills, Burke spoke privately to an attorney whose firm later billed taxpayers $9,497 on Burke's behalf.
indentThe contradiction between Burke's words and actions is contained in a transcript of the "Weekend" public television show and in legal bills that a judge ordered the Senate chief clerk to release to the Wisconsin State Journal and two other newspapers earlier this month.
indent"This is just one of many, many examples of the hypocrisy we've seen coming from elected officials related to this investigation," said Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. "He says elected officials shouldn't have their fees reimbursed, and then he turns around the submits fees for reimbursement. It's amazing."
indentBurke, 44, first elected to the Senate in 1988, quit the race for state attorney general Friday hours after the release of state-paid legal bills linked him to an investigation of possible illegal campaigning. Burke cited health problems and the disclosure of the legal bills as reasons for dropping out.
indentBurke appeared on the March 8 television show and responded to questions from callers. A caller from Madison asked Burke why taxpayers were paying more than $500,000 in lawyers' fees for legislative employees. The caller also wanted to know why public money was being spent on a court battle blocking access to the records.
indent"I think the young men and women involved in this deserve legal representation," Burke said, referring to legislative staffers. "I don't think elected officials should have their cost compensated."
indentThat same day, records now show, Burke spoke to an attorney whose firm eventually charged taxpayers $9,497 for helping Burke respond to a subpoena and a search of his office. Authorities seized computers and documents, including the resume of a staff member believed to be engaged in fund-raising activity.
indentBurke's attorney, John Finerty, repeatedly stressed in letters marked "confidential" to Senate Clerk Don Schneider that Burke's name should remain a secret. Finerty told Schneider he would identify Burke only by his client number of 1886.001 on invoices.
indentBurke did not respond to three requests for an interview Monday. His spokeswoman, Andrea Rowe, also declined comment.
indentTaxpayers are paying the legal fees for five lawmakers, including Burke, and 59 others involved in the ongoing criminal probe.