In April, we learned about a disconcerting controversy out of Wisconsin in which U.S. Attorney for Milwaukee Steve Biskupic brought highly dubious charges against Georgia Thompson, the state purchasing supervisor for Gov. Jim Doyle’s (D) administration, accusing Thompson of corruption. By all appearances, it was one of the more shameless politically-motivated prosecutions of the year.
The last time we checked in on the controversy, a federal appeals court swiftly rejected the prosecution and admonished Biskupic for filing the charges in the first place. Thompson was released, but the imprisonment and wrongful prosecution has left quite a scar on her career.
Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising that Thompson expects reimbursement. (thanks to reader V.S.)
A state worker who spent four months in a federal prison before having her conviction reversed on appeal filed a claim with the state Friday for nearly $360,000. […]
“Payment will not undo the emotional trauma of such charges and wrongful incarceration, but it will help her put the pieces back together,” Thompson lawyer Stephen Hurley wrote in the claim.
State Sen. Russ Decker (D), a member of the Claims Board, said he was inclined to support the request payment, but wants to see the U.S. Department of Justice foot the bill.
“I certainly will take a good look at it, but the person who ought to pay the bill is (U.S. Attorney Steven M.) Biskupic,” Decker said. “He’s the guy who screwed it up by going after a political agenda.”
