Michael Gableman, head of 2020 election review, accused of lying, harassing officials in misconduct complaint

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, who led a taxpayer-funded review of the 2020 election, was accused of lying and harassing public officials during the investigation, according to a new complaint filed by Wisconsin judicial regulators.

In a 75-page complaint, the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation alleges Gableman violated multiple rules of professional conduct throughout the 14-months he was hired to review the 2020 election.

The 10-count complaint largely focuses on Gableman's behavior and statements such as repeatedly lying, violating the state's open record laws, harassing public officials, and engaging in "disruptive behavior" while in court.

Gableman was specifically targeted in the probe for "making false statements" during testimony to lawmakers on the Assembly Elections Commitee reading subpoenas he issued to the Mayors of Madison and Green Bay.

Both mayors, the state Elections Commission, and other municipalities received subpoenas seeking numerous documents related to the 2020 election including how private election funds from the Center for Tech and Civic Life we're used during the pandemic. Gableman falsely accused WEC and other local election officials of "trying to cover up" how the grants were distributed, according to the complaint.  

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) tapped Gableman to lead the review in 2021 after facing pressure from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans to investigate allegations of election fraud after Trump's defeat in Wisconsin.

In 2022, Vos fired Gableman after he produced no evidence of widespread fraud during his investigation that cost taxpayers $2.3 million.

Vos later called Gabelman an "embarrassment" and repeatedly said hiring the former Justice was "a mistake."

Speaker Vos did not respond to request for comment about the allegations. 

Gableman, who endorsed Vos' primary challenger in 2022, was also targeted in the complaint for promoting efforts to recall the Republican Speaker.

The former Justice was also accused of inappropriately detailing conversations he had with Vos and his staff which the complained alleged was a breach of attorney-client privilege. 

The complaint was filed after Gableman was found in contempt of court related to a lawsuit seeking records related to the 2020 probe. Dane County Judge Frank Reminton filed his order to the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation for possible disciplinary action.

It's unclear what sanctions Gableman could face, if any. The complaint does not make any recommendations.

The complaint allegations also include:

-Making false statements to Assembly Elections Committee regarding petitions he filed to try and seize property from the mayors of Madison and Green Bay.

-Made false statements about the integrity of Dane County Judge Frank Remington "when he knew those statements to be false or acted in reckless disregard to the truth or falsity of the statements."

-Made "derogatory and demeaning" public statements about opposing council who oversaw the liberal group American Oversight lawsuit seeking records related to the probe

-Violated the state's open records law after destroying documents request by American Oversight

-Violated attorney client privilege after publicly backing efforts to recall Vos

-Issued a false affidavit to OLR

Read the full criminal complaint below: