State of Wisconsin\Government Accountability Board

212 East Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor

Post Office Box 7984
Madison, WI 53707-7984
Voice (608) 261-2028
Fax (608) 267-0500
E-mail: gab@wisconsin.gov
http://gab.wi.gov

JUDGE VICTOR MANIAN

Chairperson
KEVIN J. KENNEDY
Director and General Counsel

__________________________________________________________________________________________
June 21, 2016
MAISTELMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC
P.O. ADDRESS:
8989 N. Port Washington Rd. Suite 221
Milwaukee, WI 53217
RE: In the Matter of: Representative Gannon ; Case No. 2016-ETH-015
Dear Complainant:
Section 5.05 (1), WIS. STATS., provides that The [Board] shall have the responsibility for the administration of
chs. 5 to 12, other laws relating to elections and election campaigns, subch. III of ch. 13, and subch. III of ch.
19. When the board reviews a complaint and fails to find that there is a reasonable suspicion that a violation
occurred or is occurring, the board shall dismiss the complaint WIS. STAT. 5.05 (2m)(c) 4.
The use of public funds in Representative Gannons communication were a valid use of public funds in a
response to a media inquiry. Public funds expended from an office account to pay for such communications is
consistent with the responsibilities of an elected Representative to the Assembly and is long-standing policy
entirely consistent with the "public purpose doctrine" of the State Constitution.
Because of the above, the Board, at its June 9 meeting, adopted a motion to dismiss your complaint.
Regards,

WI Government Accountability Board

212 E. Washington Ave, 3rd Floor
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 261-2028
Fax: (608) 264-9319
gabcfis@wi.gov