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DOA: No record of extra security for Wis. justice

MADISON — There is no evidence to support Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley's claim that Capitol Police set up extra security to protect her from a fellow justice, officials with Gov. Scott Walker's administration said Thursday.

Bradley wrote in a memo released Wednesday that Capitol Police devised a special security plan to help protect her and Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson from Justice David Prosser in March 2011. Three months later, Prosser wrapped his hands around Bradley's neck during an argument.

Walker's administration controls the Capitol Police. Administration spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said she has been trying to locate any record of the security plan, but hasn't found anything. She said she's also spoken with current Capitol Police Chief Dave Erwin, the department's deputy chief and rank-and-file officers, and that none of them knew anything about any formal or informal requests for security.

"I can't find any evidence this ever happened. No emails, no conversations. I can't find anything. And trust me I've checked this like four times now," Marquis said.

Messages left at the state Supreme Court offices for Bradley and Abrahamson weren't immediately returned. Court Marshal Tina Nodolf issued a statement saying several justices approached her with "safety concerns" before the incident between Prosser and Bradley and she consulted with the Capitol Police's then-chief, Charles Tubbs, about ways to enhance security.

"I understood Chief Tubbs would increase patrol around the Supreme Court chambers after hours," Nodolf wrote. "I also advised the concerned justices to lock their office doors while working alone after hours, as discussed with Chief Tubbs."

She did not elaborate, and court spokesman Tom Sheehan didn't immediately return a message seeking an interview with her.