Supreme Court Justice-To-Be Will Pay Big Settlement

Annette Ziegler heads to her swearing-in $17,000 lighter, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Wednesday evening:

WEDNESDAY, May 16, 2007, 5:07 p.m.
By Patrick Marley

Ziegler settles ethics case for $17,000

Madison - State Supreme Court-elect Annette Ziegler today agreed to pay the state about $17,000 in a settlement that she violated the state ethics code by ruling on five cases involving a bank her husband helps run.

Ziegler agreed to pay $5,000 plus attorney fees to settle the matter. The Ethics Board estimates the cost of the attorney fees to be $12,000. The settlement avoids a hearing scheduled for Thursday on the matter.

(Note: The Wisconsin Judicial Commission continues a separate investigation that could lead to formal discipline for Ziegler.)