MADISON, Wis. -- A former Assembly Republican Caucus director testified on Monday that he used state resources to create starter kits for GOP candidates and maintain campaign databases.

Jason Kratochwill told jurors it was all done under the direction of state Rep. Scott Jensen, who's on trial for misconduct in office.

Kratochwill said that he frequently spoke with Jensen, R-Waukesha, on campaign matters while working as the caucus director. He said that he used state resources to keep in touch with candidates and draft lists of potential candidates.

Jensen controlled the caucus as speaker. Prosecutors contend caucus workers were supposed to serve as lawmakers' researchers, not their personal campaign workers. Jensen's attorney has argued there was no clear definition of work prohibited under state law.

Kratochwill served as caucus policy director from 1995 through 1997 and as director from 1999 through 2001.

Jensen's trial began last Tuesday. The trial stopped last week with Ray Carey, the former head of the ARC on the stand. Carey said that he was never told by Jensen not do campaign work on state time or with state resources, WISC-TV reported.

Carey said that he ran campaign meetings regularly out of the caucus offices, and that his staff used state computers, phones, fax machines and other equipment for campaign purposes.

Prosecutors have alleged the ARC was a secret campaign machine that was directed by Jensen.

The trial is expected to last another two weeks, and Jensen is expected to take the stand in his own defense, WISC-TV reported.

He is the last of five lawmakers who were charged in 2002 after media reports detailed allegations that figures at the state Capitol were using their taxpayer-funded staffs to run campaigns and collect political contributions.

The other four legislators -- ex-Democratic Sens. Brian Burke and Chuck Chvala and former Republican Reps. Steve Foti and Bonnie Ladwig -- have made plea 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.

NOTE: WISC-TV's Colin Benedict provides behind-the-scenes coverage of the Jensen trial in his new blog.