Following Thursday's resignation of a Republican State Election Board member, Speaker of the Assembly John Gard, R- Peshtigo, appointed a new party member to the board.
Former member Patrick Hodan resigned because a co-worker at his law firm represents gubernatorial candidate Green's campaign, who recently filed an appeal with the State Supreme Court to review the State Election Board ordering Green to divest $468,000. Hodan was not present at the Aug. 30 meeting when this ruling was made and did not vote.
Gard's appointee, Greg Paradise, ""is an attorney at Mohs, MacDonald, Widder & Paradise in Madison and previously served on the Board from May 1995 to June 2001, serving one term as chairman,"" according to Gard's statement.
""Greg is a person of tremendous integrity and I am confident he will serve the State Elections Board with distinction,"" Gard said.
However, Gov. Jim Doyle's campaign alleges Green helped ""hand pick"" Paradise before the Board convenes Wednesday to rule whether an additional $775,000 of Green's contribution is legal. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign filed a complaint on this sum of money Wednesday, claiming federal laws were broken in this transfer.
""Congressman Green's extraordinary hypocrisy and desperation are now in full view,"" said Anson Kaye, communications director for the Doyle campaign in a statement. ""Having lost before the Elections Board, having lost in court, and now facing a federal investigation, Congressman Green has resorted to changing the make up of the board to find someone who will agree with him.""
According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's contribution records, Paradise has donated $500 to the Green campaign.
