Judge: Thompson Can't Remain Free During Her Appeal
Former State Employee To Start Serving Sentence On Nov. 27
Updated: 2:35 pm CST October 30,2006
MADISON, Wis. -- A federal judge has denied a former state employee's request to stay out of prison while she appeals her conviction for steering a travel contract to a donor of Gov. Jim Doyle.U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa said that Georgia Thompson isn't likely to have her conviction overturned or be granted a new trial.As a result, he said that Thompson must begin serving an 18-month prison sentence on Nov. 27.The ruling is the latest setback for Thompson, the former state purchasing official who has denied involvement in a scheme to steer a contract to Adelman Travel.A federal jury in Milwaukee convicted Thompson of using her position on an evaluation committee to favor Adelman, whose executives donated $20,000 to the governor before and after winning the contract.Thompson's lawyers are appealing the conviction, saying that key testimony shouldn't have been allowed in court.
Previous Stories:
- September 22, 2006: Thompson Gets 18 Months For Steering Contract
- June 13, 2006: Officials: Convicted Employee Will Be Fired
- June 12, 2006: State Worker Convicted In Travel Contract Case
- June 5, 2006: Jury Selected In State Travel Contract Trial
- February 3, 2006: Thompson Pleads Not Guilty In Travel Contract Case
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