Prosser says he knew he would be cleared of charges

• Justice Prosser

Justice Prosser

Talk about it

MADISON - State Supreme Court Justice David Prosser said he always knew he’d be cleared of allegations that he choked fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley in June. Special prosecutor Patricia Barrett said today that the facts of the case did not support the filing of criminal charges. Barrett said she reviewed 70 pages of investigative reports, photos, and an interview with Prosser by Dane County sheriff’s deputies.

Bradley had contended that Prosser put her in a chokehold in her office on June 13th – the night before the Supreme Court released its contentious decision which upheld the state’s virtual end to public union bargaining. Reports said Prosser only held up his hands to push Bradley back after she raised her fists at him. After Barrett’s decision came out today, Prosser said he knew he’d be cleared once the facts were reviewed – and he looks forward to the details being made public.

Bradley claimed she never sought prosecution against Prosser – and she was just trying to raise an issue over what she called “workplace safety.” Bradley said she tried to have law enforcement address the issue. And after Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs met with all the justices following the altercation, Bradley said her efforts to address safety were quote, “rebuffed.”

Meanwhile, this may not be the end of the matter. The investigative reports were also sent to the state’s Judicial Commission, which is doing its own probe into the matter.

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