Assembly Speaker Vos Refused To Release Redistricting Legal Contract

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos won’t release a $850,000 contract with a legal firm helping the GOP defend legislative district boundaries.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Assembly Republicans have hired Chicago-based law firm Bartlit Beck LLP to help defend the GOP-drawn boundaries in a long-running federal lawsuit.

Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel had been representing the state but lost in the Nov. 6 elections to Democrat Josh Kaul. Now, both Kaul and the Bartlit Beck attorneys will defend the maps.

Vos spokeswoman Kit Beyer declined to release the contract to the newspaper, saying it was subject to attorney-client privilege. She declined to answer questions from the newspaper on Monday.

Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council President Bill Lueders said he believes denial of the newspaper’s request is illegal.