Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice faces potential disbarment over 2020 election probe misconduct
At a Glance
- Michael Gableman faces a 10-count disciplinary complaint for ethical violations during his 2020 election investigation
- Allegations include making false statements, violating open records laws, and breaching attorney-client privilege
- The $2.3 million taxpayer-funded investigation found no evidence of voter fraud
- Gableman was fired and called an “embarrassment” by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos
- The complaint could lead to sanctions, including potential loss of Gableman’s law license
Ethical Misconduct Allegations Shake Wisconsin’s Political Landscape
The Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) has filed a damning 10-count disciplinary complaint against former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman. The complaint stems from Gableman’s controversial investigation into the 2020 election, which cost taxpayers over $2.3 million and failed to uncover any evidence of voter fraud. This development marks a significant turn in the ongoing saga of election integrity debates and could have far-reaching consequences for Gableman’s legal career.
The allegations against Gableman are serious and wide-ranging. They include making false statements to lawmakers, violating open records laws, and engaging in disruptive conduct during court proceedings. Perhaps most damaging is the accusation that Gableman breached attorney-client privilege by endorsing Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ primary challenger and promoting efforts to recall Vos.
A Costly and Controversial Investigation
Gableman’s investigation, initiated by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, was meant to address concerns about the 2020 election’s integrity. However, it quickly became a source of bipartisan criticism due to its lack of substantial findings and questionable management. The probe’s $2.3 million price tag, funded by taxpayers, has become a point of contention, especially given its failure to produce any evidence of widespread voter fraud.
“Gableman misused taxpayer funds, promoted baseless conspiracy theories, and engaged in improper intimidation tactics; his efforts undermined the integrity of our electoral system,” said Jeff Mandell, a lawyer with the firm Law Forward, which focuses on voting rights. The firm pressured Wisconsin to investigate Judge Gableman.
From “Supremely Confident” to “Embarrassment”
The fall from grace for Gableman has been swift and dramatic. Initially described as “supremely confident” by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Gableman’s reputation quickly deteriorated as the investigation faltered. Vos, who had once championed Gableman’s efforts, ultimately fired him in August 2022, publicly labeling him an “embarrassment.”
This stark reversal in Vos’ stance underscores the extent of Gableman’s alleged misconduct and the damage it has caused to his credibility and the broader investigation into the 2020 election.
Potential Consequences and the Road Ahead
The disciplinary complaint filed by the OLR could have severe consequences for Gableman. If found culpable, he faces a range of potential sanctions, the most severe being the loss of his law license. This would be a dramatic fall for a former state Supreme Court justice who served from 2008 to 2018 and was part of the court’s conservative majority in several key rulings.
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman is facing disciplinary action by the state for how he handled investigations into the 2020 election, including a lawsuit filed against Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich. https://t.co/LjhyzWlY9W
— WLUK-TV FOX 11 (@fox11news) November 19, 2024
The irony of Gableman’s situation is not lost on observers. A man who once sat on Wisconsin’s highest court now finds himself at the mercy of that same institution, albeit with a different composition. The current liberal-majority Wisconsin Supreme Court will ultimately decide the consequences of Gableman’s alleged ethical breaches, adding another layer of intrigue to this already complex story.
