MADISON, Wis. -- State Rep. Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha, appeared in Dane County Court on Friday afternoon to answer charges regarding the state Capitol corruption case.

Pretrial arguments were being held Friday in the misconduct case against Jensen and Sherry Schultz, a former legislative aide, WISC-TV reported.

The hearing was scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.

The two are charged with illegally using state staff and resources to run private political campaigns, WISC-TV reported.

However, Jensen's attorney is claiming in motions filed in court that the practice of having aides do campaign work on state time was common place at the Capitol long before Jensen was accused of doing it.

Jensen is scheduled to stand trial on Feb. 21 on three felony counts of misconduct in office and a misdemeanor count of intentional misuse of a public position for private gain.

Jensen is one of several lawmakers and other legislative officials who faced charges after a corruption investigation began at the state Capitol several years ago.

Former state Rep. Steve Foti, once the second-ranking lawmaker in the Assembly, struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to corruption charges last month. As part of the agreement, Foti agreed to testify against Jensen.

Three other former lawmakers -- two Democrats and one Republican -- reached plea deals earlier. Former state Sens. Brian Burke and Chuck Chvala were sentenced to jail time, and former Assistant Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Ladwig is expected to pay $4,500 in fines and restitution, WISC-TV reported.

Former Foti aide Sherry Schultz will be tried in February.