MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Judicial regulators filed a complaint Tuesday against a former conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice who spread election conspiracy theories and was hired by Republicans to lead an investigation into President-elect Donald Trump’s election loss. of 2020, accusing him of violating several rules of conduct.
The Office of Lawyer Regulation 10-count complaint accuses former judge Michael Gableman of violations that could result in a variety of sanctions, including possibly the loss of his law license. The complaint does not make a specific recommendation as to what sanction the Wisconsin Supreme Court should apply.
Gableman did not immediately return text messages seeking comment.
The complaint stems from Gableman’s work investigating allegations of fraud and abuse related to the 2020 election that Trump narrowly lost in Wisconsin. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos had hired him to lead the investigation. Gableman found no evidence of widespread fraud during his investigation, sparking bipartisan ridicule and costing taxpayers more than $1 million.
Vos said in 2021 when he hired Gableman that he had “the utmost confidence” in his abilities. But when he fired Gableman in August 2022, Vos called him “a disgrace.” Gableman this year helped Trump supporters who tried to recall Vos from office. Two of their attempts failed to collect enough valid signatures to force a vote.
Vos said in 2022 that Gableman should lose his law license because of his conduct during the election probe. Vos did not return a message requesting comment on Tuesday.
In his seven-month investigation, Gableman was sued over his response to open records requests and subpoenas, and a countersuit was filed. He was ridiculed for scant expense reports, criticized for sending confusing emails and making rudimentary errors in his files, and called in to meet with conspiracy theorists.
The complaint accuses Gableman of making false statements, disrupting a hearing, questioning the integrity of a judge, making derogatory comments about opposing counsel, violating the public records law and disclosing information about Vos’ representation during the investigation, while Gableman promoted a failed attempt to recall Vos. office.
The complaint came after Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington forwarded his 2022 contempt order against Gableman to the Office of Lawyer Regulation for possible action. Remington ruled that Gableman was in contempt of court for failing to comply with the state’s public records law regarding a lawsuit filed by the liberal group American Oversight seeking data related to the 2020 election survey.
Gableman was captured on a microphone during that trial while the court was in recess making sarcastic comments about the judge and the ability of American Oversight’s attorney, Christa Westerberg, to do her job without the judge’s assistance.
Remington said Gableman’s behavior was misogynistic and an “insult to the judicial process and an insult” to Westerberg.
Lawyers from the liberal law firm Law Forward also asked for sanctions against Gableman in 2023. They alleged that Gableman “has embraced conspiracy theories, spread lies, rejected facts, impugned the character of people he considers his opponents and abused the legal process. ”
Gableman served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 2008 to 2018 and joined the conservative majority in several major rulings, including one that upheld a state law that effectively ended collective bargaining for public employees. The court is now controlled 4-3 by liberal justices, including one chosen to fill the seat vacated by Gableman.
