Georgia Thompson, an administrative official in Gov. Jim Doyle's office, was indicted Tuesday after a federal grand jury said she abused her position in securing a contract with Adelman Travel.
Thompson, chief of the Department of Administration's procurement bureau, played a large part in awarding Adelman Travel a three-year contract with the state of Wisconsin.
Craig Adelman and Mitchell Fromstein, two of Alderman Travel's top executives, each donated a total of $20,000 to Doyle's campaign, according to a Wisconsin Campaign Finance online database.
'As far as we have been able to determine, this contract was awarded to a Wisconsin company that was the lowest bidder, and all appropriate procedures were followed,' Administrative Secretary Steve Bablitch said in a statement. 'In fact, Adelman didn't win three out of the four contracts it was bidding for'including the online travel contract which is expected to be by far the most valuable.'
State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said the ties between Thompson and Doyle may not reflect well on the governor. However, Risser also added that because an indictment does not translate into a guilty sentence, it may be too early to tell how this will affect Doyle.
'It certainly isn't helpful to have someone close to you indicted,' Risser said. 'But we have to be very careful to realize that indictment is merely a charge, and it's up to the courts in the judicial system to determine if a person is actually guilty.'
Milwaukee County Executive and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker said the Thompson indictment reflects poorly on the current administration in a statement released by his office Tuesday.
'The indictment handed down today shows how corruption can infiltrate all areas of government. Unfortunately, we have a governor and administration that condones unethical and illegal behavior. The people of Wisconsin deserve better,' Walker said.
