There is Justice- Jensen found guilty

Posted March 11, 2006 Jensen guilty of misconduct in office
The Associated Press

MADISON — A jury today convicted state Rep. Scott Jensen of felony misconduct for using state employees as secret campaign operatives.

It rejected his claims he thought they were off the state clock and Assembly Republicans had used state workers to campaign for years.
The jury deliberated for 17 hours over three days before finding Jensen guilty of three felony counts of misconduct in office and a misdemeanor count of using his public position to benefit the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee.
An ambitious lawmaker who rose to the Assembly’s top position in five years and harbored hopes of one day becoming governor, the Waukesha Republican now faces up to 16 years behind bars and $35,000 in fines. He also must give up his political office.

Jensen showed no emotion as the verdicts were read. He gave a brief statement to reporters, thanking his friends and constituents.

“The only plans I have at the moment are to go home and hug my wife and kids,” Jensen said. He declined to comment further.Jensen’s conviction concludes a secret investigation into Capitol corruption prosecutors launched in 2001. The probe was sparked by a series of stories in the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper detailing allegations of state workers campaigning on state time.Jensen was one of five lawmakers charged in 2002 in the probe. He was the only one to stand trial; the others reached plea deals.

“These cases have really highlighted the potential for abuse of power. I don’t think it’s a happy day for anyone here,” said Dane County Dist. Atty. Brian Blanchard, who led the probe with help from state Department of Justice investigators.

“This investigation showed that no one’s above the law, that everyone’s responsible for their actions, whether they have a position of power and influence or whether they’re someone who doesn’t have access to those tools