Gableman/Vos Sham Election Inquiry: What Started as Right-Wing Stunt is Now Nearly $1 Million Boondoggle

The sham inquiry into the 2020 election is now a nearly $1 million boondoggle, financed with public tax dollars and with no end in sight.

michael gableman staring at ground
michael gableman staring at ground

MADISON, Wis. — The sham inquiry into the 2020 election, conceived as a right-wing political stunt by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and run by Michael Gableman, is now a nearly $1 million boondoggle, financed with public tax dollars and with no end in sight.

According to a recent report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

“The Republican review of the 2020 election has cost Wisconsin taxpayers nearly $900,000 — about $220,000 more than originally budgeted. The cost will continue to rise, in part because of a spate of lawsuits related to the work.”

Previously analyzed details of the spending of the Gableman sham inquiry by A Better Wisconsin Together revealed he and his team billed taxpayers for nearly $40,000 in expenses on things like food, hotels and transportation in just five months in late 2021 through January 2022.

All the while Gableman has been allowed to run amok with little to no supervision or accountability including appearing at partisan political events, advocating for the election of right-wing political candidates and promoting the rhetoric and rationale that fueled the January 6 criminal conspiracy to subvert our elections and overturn the will of the people.

It has also been reported that the sham inquiry, which produced no results, is now largely dormant but Gableman continues to be paid a monthly taxpayer funded salary of $5,500 in addition to racking up legal bills.

The following are the statements of A Better Wisconsin Together Deputy Director Mike Browne:

“Shut. It. Down.”

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A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.

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