3 more staffers submit bills
10:22 AM 5/28/02
Dee J. Hall Wisconsin State Journal
indentThree more legislative staffers - two employed by high-ranking Assembly Republicans - have submitted legal bills to the state in the ongoing "John Doe" investigation into illegal campaigning and fund raising at the Legislature.
indentThe latest bills bring to 63 the number of current and former legislative employees who've received taxpayer-funded legal help in the secret, yearlong investigation. In addition, five lawmakers also have billed the state for legal services; however, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala, D-Madison, repaid his bill in March after it was revealed.
indentOn May 10, the Assembly and Senate chief clerks released the names of those receiving state-financed legal help, along with more than $500,000 worth of bills paid so far. Since then, a handful of bills have come in, mostly from employees whose names were made public this month.
indentHowever, three new names emerged in the latest round of bills, including staffers for the second- and third-ranking Republican leaders in the Assembly.
indentCindy Polzin, an aide to Assembly Majority Leader Steve Foti, R-Oconomowoc, submitted a legal bill to the state, as did Rob Richard, an aide to Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Steve Freese, R-Dodgeville. Details of the latest bills submitted to the Assembly weren't available Tuesday, Acting Assembly Chief Clerk Pat Fuller said.
indentRichard has worked for Freese, the third-ranking Republican in the Assembly, for nearly six years. Polzin has worked for No. 2 Foti for just under a year.
indentPolzin is the fifth Foti staffer to seek taxpayer help with her legal bills. Foti himself has racked up at least $14,142 in legal bills as a result of the investigation.
indentOn the Senate side, former Senate Republican Caucus employee Keith Gilkes submitted a bill for $1,905 to the Senate chief clerk, which was paid. Gilkes worked for the Senate Republican Caucus from August 2000 until Dec. 31, 2001, when all four legislative caucuses were shut down following allegations in the Wisconsin State Journal that they were operating as secret campaign machines.
indentGilkes is the fifth former Senate Republican Caucus staffer to hire a lawyer at taxpayer expense in the investigation, which is being handled by Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard and Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann.