Jensen Trial To Begin Tuesday
Four Other Lawmakers Made Deals
Updated: 7:34 pm CST February 20, 2006
MADISON, Wis. -- For more than three years, state Rep. Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha, has fought felony misconduct charges against him before various judges.
Watch The ReportStarting this Tuesday, he'll fight them before a jury of his peers.Barring a last-minute deal, Jensen will go to trial this week on three felony misconduct in office charges and a misdemeanor count for allegedly using his public position for private gain.The former Assembly speaker looks determined to go trial, and at this point there are no signs of a plea deal, WISC-TV reported.Unlike the other lawmakers, Jensen ran for re-election and won. He's still serving in the Assembly.However, if he would plead guilty to a felony -- which is something District Attorney Brian Blanchard would likely require -- he would lose his office, WISC-TV reported.If convicted on any of the felony charges, he faces expulsion from public office along with the possibility of prison time.At trial, Jensen's attorney wanted to show that he was just doing what past leaders did, which is direct campaign work to be done by state employees. The judge rejected that argument and said it couldn't be used in court, WISC-TV reported.Blanchard has submitted a list of 51 potential witnesses, including many former and current Capitol staffers and lawmakers could testify. Those include Republican legislators Steve Foti and Bonnie Ladwig who were both part of Jensen's leadership team and pleaded guilty to similar charges. Current Assembly Speaker John Gard is also on the list.Jensen's trial begins at a time when polls show the vast majority of Wisconsinites don't believe lawmakers represent their interests.Jensen is the last of five lawmakers charged in 2002 after media reports detailed allegations that legislators were using their taxpayer-funded staffs to run campaigns and collect political contributions.The other four -- Democratic state Sens. Brian Burke and Chuck Chvala and former Republican Reps. Foti and Ladwig -- have struck deals with prosecutors to avoid trials.Foti, once the second-ranking lawmaker in the Assembly, made an agreement and pleaded guilty to corruption charges last month. As part of the agreement, Foti agreed to testify against Jensen.Burke and Chvala were sentenced to jail time. Former Assistant Assembly Majority Leader Ladwig is expected to pay $4,500 in fines and restitution, WISC-TV reported.Jury selection begins Tuesday, but Judge Steven Ebert has indicated the trial could start as soon as Tuesday afternoon.Besides Jensen, Sherry Schultz, a former legislative aide, faces similar charges, WISC-TV reported.
Watch The ReportStarting this Tuesday, he'll fight them before a jury of his peers.Barring a last-minute deal, Jensen will go to trial this week on three felony misconduct in office charges and a misdemeanor count for allegedly using his public position for private gain.The former Assembly speaker looks determined to go trial, and at this point there are no signs of a plea deal, WISC-TV reported.Unlike the other lawmakers, Jensen ran for re-election and won. He's still serving in the Assembly.However, if he would plead guilty to a felony -- which is something District Attorney Brian Blanchard would likely require -- he would lose his office, WISC-TV reported.If convicted on any of the felony charges, he faces expulsion from public office along with the possibility of prison time.At trial, Jensen's attorney wanted to show that he was just doing what past leaders did, which is direct campaign work to be done by state employees. The judge rejected that argument and said it couldn't be used in court, WISC-TV reported.Blanchard has submitted a list of 51 potential witnesses, including many former and current Capitol staffers and lawmakers could testify. Those include Republican legislators Steve Foti and Bonnie Ladwig who were both part of Jensen's leadership team and pleaded guilty to similar charges. Current Assembly Speaker John Gard is also on the list.Jensen's trial begins at a time when polls show the vast majority of Wisconsinites don't believe lawmakers represent their interests.Jensen is the last of five lawmakers charged in 2002 after media reports detailed allegations that legislators were using their taxpayer-funded staffs to run campaigns and collect political contributions.The other four -- Democratic state Sens. Brian Burke and Chuck Chvala and former Republican Reps. Foti and Ladwig -- have struck deals with prosecutors to avoid trials.Foti, once the second-ranking lawmaker in the Assembly, made an agreement and pleaded guilty to corruption charges last month. As part of the agreement, Foti agreed to testify against Jensen.Burke and Chvala were sentenced to jail time. Former Assistant Assembly Majority Leader Ladwig is expected to pay $4,500 in fines and restitution, WISC-TV reported.Jury selection begins Tuesday, but Judge Steven Ebert has indicated the trial could start as soon as Tuesday afternoon.Besides Jensen, Sherry Schultz, a former legislative aide, faces similar charges, WISC-TV reported. Previous Stories:
- February 3, 2006: Judge Refuses To Toss Charges Against Jensen, Aide
- February 3, 2006: Jensen Makes Court Appearance On Friday
- February 1, 2006: Jensen: Democrats Had Aides Campaign On State Time
- January 4, 2006: Judge Declines To Move Jensen's Trial
- December 16, 2005: Chvala Sentenced To Jail, Probation
- December 8, 2005: Chvala Asks For No Jail Time
- December 6, 2005: Prosecutors Ask For Jail Time For Chvala
- October 26, 2005: Chvala Pleads Guilty To Two Felony Counts
- October 25, 2005: Former Senator Pleads Guilty
- October 24, 2005: Former State Senator To Enter Plea
- July 13, 2004: Under The Dome: Alleged Internet Smear Campaign
Copyright 2006 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
