MADISON, WI - Wisconsin Chief Justice Annette Ziegler is seeking alternate options to pursue the leak of a state Supreme Court abortion order in June after the State's Capitol Police declined to investigate Wednesday. The Capitol Police cited a conflict of interest with Democrat Governor Tony Evers' administration in driving the decision.
Chief Justice Ziegler told The Associated Press on Thursday that she is continuing "to pursue other means in an effort to get to the bottom of this leak.” She explained to the outlet last week that she had asked the Capitol Police to investigate because they hold jurisdiction over the state office buildings, including the Capitol where the Supreme Court offices and hearing chamber are situated.
However, according to Britt Cudaback, a spokesman for Democrat Governor Tony Evers this created a "clear conflict," considering Evers' “significant concern about outcome of the court’s decisions in addition to being named parties in several matters currently pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”
The case in question came about after a draft order was leaked on June 26th stating that the court would hear a lawsuit raised by Planned Parenthood seeking to declare access to abortion a right under the Wisconsin Constitution. As reported by the AP, a week later the court issued the order to accept the case.
At the time, Ziegler said in a statement reported by Wisconsin Watch "Today the entire court was shocked to learn that a confidential draft document was ostensibly leaked to the press. I have contacted law enforcement to request that a full investigation be conducted. We are all united behind this investigation to identify the source of the apparent leak. The seven of us condemn this breach."
Chief Justice Ziegler told The Associated Press on Thursday that she is continuing "to pursue other means in an effort to get to the bottom of this leak.” She explained to the outlet last week that she had asked the Capitol Police to investigate because they hold jurisdiction over the state office buildings, including the Capitol where the Supreme Court offices and hearing chamber are situated.
Chief Justice Annette Ziegler told AP via email on Thursday that she continues “to pursue other means in an effort to get to the bottom of this leak.”
— Scott Bauer (@sbauerAP) August 12, 2024
She did not respond to messages last week and Monday asking what those other means were.
However, according to Britt Cudaback, a spokesman for Democrat Governor Tony Evers this created a "clear conflict," considering Evers' “significant concern about outcome of the court’s decisions in addition to being named parties in several matters currently pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”
The case in question came about after a draft order was leaked on June 26th stating that the court would hear a lawsuit raised by Planned Parenthood seeking to declare access to abortion a right under the Wisconsin Constitution. As reported by the AP, a week later the court issued the order to accept the case.
It is ordered that the petition for leave to commence an original action is granted, this court assumes jurisdiction over this entire action, and the petitioners may not raise or argue issues not set forth in the petition for leave to commence an original action unless otherwise ordered by the court,” the leaked order read.
At the time, Ziegler said in a statement reported by Wisconsin Watch "Today the entire court was shocked to learn that a confidential draft document was ostensibly leaked to the press. I have contacted law enforcement to request that a full investigation be conducted. We are all united behind this investigation to identify the source of the apparent leak. The seven of us condemn this breach."
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