Ex-ARC Director: Jensen Told State Workers To Do Campaign Work
Trial Began Last Week
Updated: 7:45 pm CST February 27,2006
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.
Previous Stories:
- February 24, 2006: Whistleblower Takes Stand In Jensen Trial
- February 24, 2006: Jensen Trial: Ex-State Worker Testifies About Political Work
- February 24, 2006: Jensen Trial: Ex-Employee Testifies About Campaign Work On State Time
- February 23, 2006: Jensen Trial: Artist Tells Of Working For Candidates
- 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.









