MADISON, Wis. -- Former Gov. Tony Earl said he did nothing wrong in helping an acquaintance land a top legal job at the Department of Workforce Development.

Earl said he didn't know the hiring scandal had cost taxpayers $346,000 in legal settlements with candidates passed over for the job as the state's top unemployment insurance lawyer.

Earl said he has known Daniel LaRocque "since he was a youngster" and was friends with his father and uncle.

Earl said he called his former policy director, Hal Bergan, to put in a good word for LaRocque. Bergan was the Workforce Development official in charge of the hiring.

A hearing examiner who reviewed the case said Bergan broke department rules in hiring LaRocque, who got the job based on political connections.