'The system works': Evers responds to use of alias email address

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- We are now hearing from Governor Tony Evers himself regarding the use of an alias email address. 

Evers had been using the address [email protected]. It's named after a legendary Milwaukee Braves pitcher.

The governor's office has disclosed it blacks out the email address when responding to open records requests, but says it provides the content of the emails. 

The practice of using a secret email address dates back to at least former Governor Scott Walker. 

Government watchdogs have said they don't like the idea. 

Evers says it would be much harder to get work done having to sort through a publicly available email account.

"This works. The system works," Gov. Evers said. "That's the end of the story. It is not illegal; people can still access the information they want. So that's the bottom line."

"Blacking out the address is fine, too?" we asked.

"Absolutely," Evers said. "Absolutely, it is."

The governor was in Milwaukee Wednesday for an economic roundtable with a senior commerce official from the Biden administration.