Wisconsin judges hear cases despite conflicts

Geoff Davidian of Milwaukee Magazine identified Wisconsin judges who frequently try cases involving companies in which they hold investments. Davidian analyzed all civil cases in Milwaukee from the beginning of 2004 through the first eight months of 2006 and checked them against the financial interest statements filed by the judges with the Wisconsin Ethics Board. The results show 202 cases in which judges had a financial conflict, including 54 cases involving Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Dwyer.