Madison, WI – Today, the Senate Special Committee on the Department of Justice met to gather testimony from individuals both directly affected by, and with knowledge of, Special Assistant Attorneys General (SAAGs) within the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) whose salaries and benefits are paid for by the Michael Bloomberg-funded New York University State Energy & Environmental Impact Center.
Four speakers testified to the harm that DOJ’s hyper focus on environmental issues, supported by the SAAGs funded by the Center, has caused.
Mr. Phil Mlsna, a third-generation family dairy farmer from Monroe County testified on his recent experience with the Wisconsin DOJ and Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Mlsna was prosecuted and taken to trial for unfounded environmental issues. He was forced to pay over $200,000 in fines and DOJ attorney’s fees.
Marquette University Professor and Director of the Les Aspin Center for Government Paul Nolette provided the committee with background on Attorneys General offices across the country accepting privately-funded attorneys in their offices, warning of the consequences they can have without proper oversight.
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, representing Wisconsin’s business community, testified to the negative impact that DOJ’s current practices are having on Wisconsin’s business community.
Ms. Annette Meeks from the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota explained to the committee the consequences of the SAAG actions without oversight, based on a similar experience in Minnesota.
Following the conclusion of the today’s testimony, the Republican members of the Senate Special Committee on the Department of Justice issued the following statement:
Every Wisconsinite should be afraid after what we heard today. When government agencies are funded and influenced by partisan, outside groups, the power that citizens vested in their government is weaponized and used against them. This is happening across the country, including here in Wisconsin. We look forward to addressing these concerns with Attorney General Kaul tomorrow.