Litigation

Justice Seeks Colleague?s Recusal in WI Ethics Case

By Peter Hardin

This long-running judicial ethics case has featured numerous twists and turns. In the latest, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman is seeking the removal of a fellow justice from deliberating on an ethics accusation against Justice Gableman.

A legal motion filed by Justice Gableman (photo at left) seeks to force Justice N. Patrick Crooks (photo at right) from voting in the ethics case and maintains Justice Crooks displayed bias against him in a recent concurring opinion, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The motion labeled Justice Crooks’ writings “gratuitous personal attacks.”

In the past, Justice Gableman clerked for Justice Crooks and others. According to the article, “The motion once again exposes fractures that have turned the court into two blocs that often snipe at each other.”

Justice Gableman is accused of dishonesty in a TV campaign ad. Last year, a three-judge panel recommended the Wisconsin Supreme Court throw out the ethics complaint. You can read more in Gavel Grab.

Full post as published by The Gavel on March 23, 2010 (boomark / email).