COSTLY COMPLAINT: Billing statements obtained by Wisconsin Watchdog show the state has to date spent more than $150,000 in defense of Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson’s civil rights lawsuit.
Posted on 08/24/2015 7:14:46 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
MADISON, Wis. – Shirley Abrahamson’s legal fight to keep her job as the state Supreme Court’s chief justice has cost Wisconsin taxpayers $150,000.
Abrahamson was the state’s top judge when Wisconsin voters in April approved a constitutional amendment allowing state Supreme Court justices to elect their chief, ending the state’s 126-year practice of determining the post on seniority alone.
Later that month, the four conservative members of the seven-person court elected Justice Patience Roggensack as the court’s new chief justice.
Abrahamson twice asked the federal district court to temporarily stop implementation of the amendment while her civil rights case proceeded. The court twice declined.
Late last month, U.S. District Court Judge James Peterson dismissed Abrahamson’s civil rights case.
RELATED: Federal judge dismisses Abrahamson’s civil rights case
Peterson’s July ruling put to rest the justice’s claims that the amendment unfairly led to her ouster as chief justice.
“This court has been asked whether the immediate implementation of an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution concerning the structure of its court system offends the United States Constitution … The amendment passes constitutional muster, even if implemented immediately to remove Abrahamson from the position of chief justice,” Peterson wrote in his conclusion.
The judge ordered the case closed, and entered a judgment in favor of the defendants – Abrahamson’s fellow Supreme Court justices, the state, and effectively the majority of voters who approved the amendment to the state’s constitution.
The state has so far paid out $151,197.09 to date to St. John Law, LLC, the Madison-based firm of former state Deputy Attorney General Kevin St. John, according to state billing information obtained by Wisconsin Watchdog through an open records request with the state Department of Administration.
St. John represented five of the seven Supreme Court justices in Abrahamson’s failed civil rights lawsuit, her fight to keep her job as the court’s chief justice.
Abrahamson reportedly is weighing whether to appeal the federal court ruling. Legal experts say that would be yet another miscalculation on the former chief justice’s part – one that would continue to cost taxpayers.
Still, she is loath to give up her position of power. Abrahamson’s letterhead still identifies her as the court’s chief justice.
COSTLY COMPLAINT: Billing statements obtained by Wisconsin Watchdog show the state has to date spent more than $150,000 in defense of Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson’s civil rights lawsuit.
She should have to pay her own bills!
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
Given the alternative, it might be money well spent.
Hey, what the Hell? To a liberal like her, its only money and the taxpayer has an endless supply of it.
“Shirley. You’re fired.”
You have a good point — cheap at twice the price.
“Abrahamson reportedly is weighing whether to appeal the federal court ruling. Legal experts say that would be yet another miscalculation on the former chief justice’s part – one that would continue to cost taxpayers.”
If she tries further legal action, you should start a recall! She really needs to be removed from office.
Since she is fighting for her position, why is the state of Wisconsin paying for it?
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