Former Aide: Jensen Was A 'Hands-Off' Boss
Prosecution To Finish On Friday
Updated: 1:08 pm CST March 2, 2006
MADISON, Wis. -- A former aide to state Rep. Scott Jensen testified on Thursday that his boss often didn't know what his state-paid staff was doing politically.Jensen, R-Waukesha, is on trial in Dane County for misconduct in office. Prosecutors contend that Jensen directed staff to do campaign work on the taxpayer's dime, which isn't allowed by law.Chad Taylor testified that he took partial leave from state employment to work on an Assembly campaign and never felt that he was doing political work on state time.Taylor is a defense witness, but was allowed to testify even though the prosecution isn't done with its case. This was done because Taylor won't be available next week when the defense will present its testimony.Taylor testified that he helped stuff envelopes with campaign materials in Jensen's Capitol office on a lunch hour. Taylor also testified that he noticed another Jensen staffer photocopying campaign checks in his Capitol office and told her to stop because reporters often visited and it looked bad.Prosecutors must wrap up their case by Friday. The trial is expected to last another two weeks, and Jensen is expected to take the stand in his own defense, WISC-TV reported.Jensen is the last of five lawmakers who were charged in 2002 after media reports detailed similar allegations.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.Jensen stepped down as Assembly speaker after he was charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor.
NOTE: WISC-TV's Colin Benedict provides behind-the-scenes coverage of the Jensen trial in his new blog.
Previous Stories:
- March 1, 2006: Jensen Trial: Prosecutors Focus On Former GOP Aide
- February 28, 2006: Jensen Staffer Says She Handled Campaign Work
- February 27, 2006: Ex-ARC Director: Jensen Told State Workers To Do Campaign Work
- 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.







