Schimel Reportedly Investigates Former Employee’s Comments

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel
reportedly investigated a former assistant attorney general who made critical
comments in a newspaper story. Schimel’s office was looking into whether Thomas
Dawson provided confidential information to the press regarding a deal the
state Department of Justice struck with a polluter. 

Dawson was the state’s top environmental
lawyer before retiring last year. Dawson
says he provided just his opinion and no documents when he talked with a
newspaper reporter after his tenure at the DOJ. 

He claims that he and other
attorneys recommended a hefty fine against Minnesota-based 3M, but was
overridden by DOJ higher ups. 

Schimel’s spokesman claims Dawson gave “confidential information,” but
did not specify what exactly that information was.