MADISON – State Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) has discovered a conflict of interest on the Commutation Advisory Board. The Remington Center at the University of Wisconsin Law School (UW Law) is advocating for the commutation of 4 of the 12 applicants heard thus far. The Restorative Justice Director at UW Law’s Remington Center, Jonathan Scharrer, serves as one of the 9 members of Evers’ Commutation Advisory Board.

“It is a rigged system!” said Wanggaard. “Board members are considering applications their close colleagues are urging. The supposed “consideration” of releasing killers early seems like a guarantee now.”

Last Tuesday, Senator Wanggaard received over 1,800 pages of documents from Governor Evers’ Office in partial response to an Open Records Request he made in May. Among the documents were the application materials for the 12 inmates whose applications were being heard on Friday.

“As we combed through the documents, we realized the Law School’s Remington Center wrote a letter in support of 4 of the 12 applicants,” Wanggaard continued. “Jonathan Sharrer is listed on the Remington Center’s letterhead. He is also a member of Governor Evers’ Commutation Board. If that’s not a conflict of interest, I don’t know what is.”

Scharrer is apparently aware of the conflict of interest as he recused himself from one of the 4 applications the Remington Center was advocating for.

After learning of the UW Remington Center’s involvement last week, Senator Wanggaard sent them an Open Records Request, which is still pending. As Wanggaard’s office continues to review the over 1,800 pages, along with the criminal histories of the 800 felons requesting commutations, more revelations may come to light. Wanggaard’s is still seeking the records of the remaining 797 applicants.

Members of the media and public can view the list of the 809* applications submitted through August 14, 2026 by going to SenatorWanggaard.com or clicking here.

*Senator Wanggaard’s 08/19/26 press release stated there were 810 applications. After further review, the list provided by Governor Evers’ office had 1 duplicate name.