Madison, WI – Representative Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield) issued the following statement after learning of the smear campaign directed by the State Public Defenders’ Milwaukee Office (SPD) against grassroots reckless driving advocacy group Enough is Enough – A Legacy for Erin (ENE). ENE was founded after the tragic death of Erin Mogensen after her life was taken by a career criminal who fled from police and eventually crashed into Erin’s vehicle—killing herself and her unborn child.
On October 24th, a letter sent from SPD attorneys to Milwaukee Circuit Court judges misrepresented the actions of ENE in attempt to silence this grassroots organization. The SPD had obtained, through open records request, email exchanges between the Milwaukee District Attorney’s (DA) office and ENE. These emails were normal in nature and showed a similar level of support given to other advocacy groups. The SPD’s office used these emails as the basis of their accusatory letter where they alleged to Milwaukee Circuit Court judges that ENE was functionally “an extension of the DA’s office.”
In response, Milwaukee DA Kent Lovern issued a letter on November 5th explaining that ENE approached his office for basic guidance on navigating the judicial system, which is standard practice for engaging with community groups and victim advocates. The SPD even alleged that a tour of the Milwaukee County Courthouse was evidence of corrupt coordination between both entities. Rep. Donovan said:
“I am utterly dumbfounded that the State Public Defender’s office has chosen to use their time to attack and smear the good name of this organization rather than focus on their core mission. I met privately with the State Public Defenders, expecting an apology, but was shocked when they double downed.”
“We should be encouraging more public involvement, yet the State Public Defenders seem hellbent on silencing a single voice, that advocates for tougher sentences, from speaking on the behalf of victims. These actions are evidence that political ideologies have captured institutions and thus perpetuate the distrust in our judicial system.”
