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Past scandals: Despite reputation, Wisconsin has a few skeletons in closet
10:47 AM
10/16/02
Dee J. Hall Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin has, until recently, enjoyed a reputation for clean governance. Still, the Legislature has had its share of scandals.
If charged criminally and convicted in the caucus scandal, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala, D-Madison, would join a small group of lawmakers who've landed in trouble for their official actions over the past 25 years. 2002
Rep. Johnnie Morris-Tatum, D-Milwaukee, acknowledged violating state ethics law by improperly billing the state for more than $12,000 in long-distance telephone calls. She agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and to reimburse the state $1,800. 1995
Sen. Gary George, D-Milwaukee, was fined $750 by the state Elections Board for failing to disclose about $4,500 in political contributions and payments between 1991 and 1993. 1988-90
Following a lengthy "John Doe" investigation into gifts, tickets, trips and meals given to lawmakers primarily by lobbyist Gary Goyke, legislators were charged with a variety of state ethics, election and lobbying laws violations. Goyke was fined $75,000 after pleading guilty to four felonies for laundering campaign contributions. Lawmakers cited were:
Sen. Richard Shoemaker, D-Menomonie, who resigned from office and spent 60 days in jail after he was charged with receiving illegal money from a lobbyist, failing to disclose a loan on financial disclosure statements, using his office for personal gain, defrauding his campaign committee and filing false campaign reports.
Sen. Barbara Ulichny, D-Milwaukee, who paid $6,137 in fines and court costs after admitting accepting illegal gifts from Goyke.
Sen. Gary George, D-Milwaukee, who agreed to a $1,122 fine and 200 hours of community service to avoid prosecution for accepting money and an airline ticket from Goyke.
George, Sen. Richard Kreul, R-Fennimore; Sen. Marvin Roshell, D-Chippewa Falls, and Sen. Joseph Strohl, D-Racine, each paid $350 fines, and Pfizer Inc. was fined $4,000, after the company was found to have improperly given free food, lodging and drinks at a 1987 Green Bay Packers game arranged by Goyke.
Shoemaker, Rep. Scott Fergus, D-Racine, and Rep. Walter Kunicki, D-Milwaukee, who each paid $500 fines for violating ethics laws by accepting lodging and food during a January 1987 visit to Chicago arranged by Goyke.
Rep. John Robinson, D-Wausau, who paid a $1,000 fine after acknowledging accepting free airfare to Chicago in 1985 from Pfizer Inc. in a trip arranged by Goyke.
Rep. Thomas Hauke, D-West Allis, who paid $1,418 in fines and court costs for violating ethics law by accepting a Door County fishing trip from Goyke. 1980
Rep. Walter Ward, D-Milwaukee, was charged with sexually assaulting a legislative aide. He was defeated for re-election, then convicted and sentenced to four years in prison. Ward also served a 30-day jail sentence for depositing campaign funds into his personal accounts. 1978
Sen. James Devitt, R-Greenfield, was convicted of giving felony false testimony for attempting to conceal a single $5,000 campaign contribution under 11 contributors' names. He was removed from office.
Sen. Monroe Swan, D-Milwaukee, was convicted of felony and misdemeanor charges for misusing federally paid CETA workers in his unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor. Swan was sentenced to 60 days in jail, two years of probation and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.
- Compiled from information from the Legislative Reference Bureau and Wisconsin State Journal files.
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