Jensen Trial: Artist Tells Of Working For Candidates
Trial Began Tuesday
Updated: 10:24 am CST February 23, 2006
MADISON, Wis. -- A graphic artist who worked under state Assembly Republicans testified on Wednesday that he did campaign work while on the state payroll, even developing a production-on-demand system to turn out literature for GOP candidates.Eric Grant took the stand during the first day of testimony in state Rep. Scott Jensen's misconduct trial.Grant said that he worked for the Assembly Republican Caucus from 1995 through 2000, and he spent almost all his time in election years using state computers, printers, phones and fax machines to produce and ship campaign literature.Jensen, R-Waukesha, faces three felony counts of misconduct in office stemming from allegations that he used state-paid caucus workers to recruit and help GOP candidates while he was Assembly speaker.Prosecutors said that caucus workers were supposed to serve as lawmakers' researchers, not campaign workers.Jensen is also accused of hiring and directing aide Sherry Schultz to work as a full-time fundraiser for Assembly Republicans while she was on the state payroll.Schultz faces a felony misconduct count of her own and is standing trial alongside Jensen. He also faces a misdemeanor for allegedly using his public position to benefit a private campaign committee designed to help Republican candidates.Also on Wednesday, Kevin Kennedy, the state Elections Board's director, testified that state law clearly prohibits the use of state resources for fundraising. Kennedy said that campaign finance laws are meant to ensure a level playing field between incumbents and challengers by prohibiting officeholders from using their state staff for campaigning.Attorneys for Jensen and Schultz have argued there is no bright line between legitimate legislative work and prohibited campaign activities under state law. They questioned Kennedy about numerous incidents in which the Election Board's state-paid staff answered purely political questions about campaign finance reports.The trial resumed Thursday morning and is expected to last three weeks.Jensen is expected to eventually take the stand in his own defense, WISC-TV reported.Jensen is the last of five state legislators charged in 2002 after media reports detailed allegations that lawmakers were using their taxpayer-funded staffs to run campaigns and collect political contributions.The other four -- ex-Democratic state Sens. Brian Burke and Chuck Chvala and former Republican Reps. Steve Foti and Bonnie 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.
Previous Stories:
- February 22, 2006: Elections Chief Testifies In Jensen Trial
- February 21, 2006: Jury Selected In Jensen Trial
- February 20, 2006: Jensen Trial To Begin Tuesday
- 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.









