New court filing: Documents were deleted from GOP redistricting computers (wi)

[Ellipsis]

Last edited Thu Mar 14, 2013, 03:01 PM - Edit history (5)

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/new-court-filing-documents-were-deleted-from-gop-redistricting-computers-0p9530v-197833071.html

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Madison - Documents were deleted from state redistricting computers last year even after a lawyer for the Legislature told lawmakers' aides to preserve all records on the computers, according to documents filed Wednesday in federal court.

Nine hard drives were recently given to groups suing the state because of questions about whether legislators and their attorneys had turned over all the documents they had been ordered to provide. One of the nine hard drives was unreadable and the outside of it was dented and scratched, which suggested its metal housing had been removed, according to affidavits in the case.

In addition, some of the hard drives had a program installed on them that could remove electronic data and hide the fact that files had been deleted, according to the filing. So far, however, a computer expert has not been able to determine if the program was actually used.

A lawyer representing the law firm that helped lawmakers with redistricting called the new allegations premature and unproven.



Wrap your brain around this little additonal tidbit - Dems object to outside counsel used

On January 4, 2011, an Assembly committee approved contracts for the Madison-based Troupis Law Office and Milwaukee-based Michael Best and Frederich to consult the Legislature on legal advice related to redistricting. The move came after the law firm of O'Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing was fired by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The O'Neil firm was put in place when Democrats had control of both houses of the Legislature during the 2009-2010 session. The Michael Best firm employed Reince Priebus, who was, at the time, a 2011 candidate for Chairman of the Republican National Committee. The Troupis Law Office was run by James Troupis, a frequent contributor to GOP candidates.[2] Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller and Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca accused Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald and Senate President Scott Fitzgerald of engaging in political payback by hiring outside counsel[2].


http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Redistricting_in_Wisconsin

[Wait Wut]

1. I'm sure they had a good reason.

[Vincardog]

2. some of the hard drives had a program installed on them that could remove electronic data and hide

the fact that files had been deleted.

They ask us to prove that this program had been used. The question is WHY was it installed?

[DallasNE]

7. Not Only Why, But When

If it was installed after the order then that is a criminal act that defies the order.

[Hosnon]

3. Every level of government should have a cloud-based system as well.

Everything that is created gets backed up to that cloud, off-site. An entirely separate entity (perhaps part of the judiciary) should be in charge of maintaining it.

[Angry Dragon]

4. Throw them in prison

[sybylla]

5. Guess laws and court orders only matter if you're not a Republican.

Party of Law and Order my ass.

[DallasNE]

6. When Was The "Program Installed .. That Could Remove

Electronic Data" installed. The date/time stamp on that could prove criminal intent. Besides, the only way to stop this kind of lawlessness is with jail time for those involved -- both those ordering this and those performing the unlawful act. A computer professional is obligated to resign rather than carry out an unlawful act.

[Ellipsis]

8. Reince Priebus mentioned in Balotpedia Redistricting history

http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Redistricting_in_Wisconsin

Dems object to outside counsel used

On January 4, 2011, an Assembly committee approved contracts for the Madison-based Troupis Law Office and Milwaukee-based Michael Best and Frederich to consult the Legislature on legal advice related to redistricting. The move came after the law firm of O'Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing was fired by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The O'Neil firm was put in place when Democrats had control of both houses of the Legislature during the 2009-2010 session. The Michael Best firm employed Reince Priebus, who was, at the time, a 2011 candidate for Chairman of the Republican National Committee. The Troupis Law Office was run by James Troupis, a frequent contributor to GOP candidates. Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller and Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca accused Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald and Senate President Scott Fitzgerald of engaging in political payback by hiring outside

[Ellipsis]

9. Juicy... firm that helped draw maps fined aprox. $17,500 for filing frivolous motions.

The Legislature hired the law firm Michael Best & Friedrich to help draw the maps, and the three state computers were housed in the law firm's Madison office to do that work.

Michael Best repeatedly tried to block releasing documents in the case, and in early 2012 wasEric McLeod, who was in charge of the work for Michael Best, left the firm last year, and Michael Best officials have declined to say if his departure was related to the redistricting case.

Michael Best launched an internal investigation to find out why documents were not turned over to the plaintiffs, but the firm has told the court it does not know if it can answer that question. The court in its ruling Monday said it was dissatisfied with the internal investigation so far and said the plaintiffs can use their own computer consultant to do its search of the computers.

Lawmakers passed three laws when they developed the maps - one to establish the legislative maps, one to establish the congressional maps and one to change the rules for how redistricting is done. Attorneys for the Republican lawmakers have said they did not release any records related to the law that changed redistricting rules because they did not believe they were covered by subpoenas for their records. But the court said those documents must now be released.

[The Wielding Truth]

10. A new court ordered Wisc.census should be taken by bonded accountants.Then districts drawn by voter

access and convenience.

Gee. Could this be a fair and democratically workable solution?

[Ellipsis]

11. LBN is being very wacky today - editing th OP breaks the links to the article

[FreeBC]

12. If Anonymous did this

We'd have 16 year olds facing 20 year prison terms.

[hue]

13. K&R!!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. Related thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10847059

[Ellipsis]

15. .

[ailsagirl]

16. Do those creeps ever do any GOOD???

What a stark contrast between those lying, amoral bastards and Scott Prouty.


Staggering.

I'd like to clone Scott a million times and send him off to spread his incredible mindset to those who need to see the truth.

I have a feeling we'll be hearing about him in the years to come. What a story!!

One caring, concerned citizen who REALLY made a difference. I can't get over it.