Wisconsin Conservative Justices Accused Of Adopting Ethics Rules Written By Corporate Lobbyists

Recently, we saw how Wisconsin Justice David Prosser is running for reelection after calling Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson a “total bitch.” Throwing aside notions of judicial decorum, Prosser has insisted that he meant every word, including his promise to “destroy” her. Now, it has been disclosed that Prosser and three of his fellow conservative justices voted to rejected an ethics rule barring them from hearing cases of major campaign contributors and then reportedly adopted a rule drafted by corporate lobbyists.

Prosser and his colleague voted against a rule that would have bar them and other state judges from hearing cases involving parties who gave them more than $1,000 in their campaigns. It was strongly supported by public interest groups and opposed by business and manufacturing groups. The justice reportedly adopted without change rules
The four conservative justices not only declined to adopt the league’s suggestions, but instead of writing their own guidelines, they opted to enact without any changes the “rules” written by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), and the Realtors Association.

His is also being criticized for this dismissal of an ethics complaint against conservative Justice Michael Gableman.

Source: Think Progress