Former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice to give up law license after 2020 election probe

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Michael Gablemen agreed to suspend his law license for three years following his probe of President Donald Trump’s loss in Wisconsin in 2020. 

He will surrender his license to settle multiple misconduct violations, conceding he violated state ethics rules for lawyers. He was hired by Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican, to investigate allegations of fraud in the 2020 election.

Gableman found no evidence of widespread fraud during his investigation, which drew bipartisan ridicule and cost Wisconsin taxpayers more than $2.3 million.

During his seven-month inquiry, Gableman was sued multiple times over his response to open records, requests, and subpoenas. He was criticized for scant expense records and making simple errors in his filings. He was additionally called out for meeting with people deemed “conspiracy theorists.”

A complaint accused Gableman of making false statements, disrupting a court hearing, questioning a judge’s integrity, and making derogatory remarks about opposing counsel, according to the Associated Press. 

When he hired Gableman in 2021, Vos said that he was “supremely confident” in his capabilities. A year later, Vos called Gabelmen an “embarrassment” when he fired him.

Gableman later helped organizers attempt an ill-fated recall of Vos, who later called those who tried to recall him “whack jobs and morons.” Gableman was also accused of revealing information about representing Vos during the investigation while Gableman was promoting the failed effort to recall Vos from office.

In 2022, Vos said Gableman should lose his law license over his conduct during the election probe. Attorneys from the liberal law firm Law Forward also requested sanctions against Gableman.

EVERY WISCONSIN COUNTY SHIFTED LEFT IN STATE SUPREME COURT RACE

“Gableman misused taxpayer funds, promoted baseless conspiracy theories, and engaged in improper intimidation tactics; his efforts undermined the integrity of our electoral system,” Law Forward President Jeff Mandell said in a statement Tuesday.

Gableman served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 2008 to 2018, aligning with the conservative majority at the time. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has a liberal majority through at least 2028.