MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers can be asked questions related to his role serving as a Democratic elector in the 2020 presidential election as part of an ongoing lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s attorneys, a judge ruled Thursday.
The ruling comes in a lawsuit by Democrats that originally sought $2.4 million in damages from all 10 Republicans who submitted a document to Congress falsely declaring Trump as the 2020 election winner in Wisconsin. They also sued Trump attorneys Jim Troupis and Kenneth Chesebro.
The 10 Republicans in December settled the lawsuit with an admission that they were part of an effort to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory, while not paying any damages. The case against Trump’s two attorneys is scheduled to go to a trial by jury in September, two months before the presidential election.
Troupis’ attorney had asked to depose Evers and Barnes, both of whom were also on the list of potential witnesses that attorneys for the Democrats who brought the lawsuit might call during the trial.
“I don’t know what specific knowledge Gov. Evers or Lt. Gov. Barnes will have until the depositions are taken and completed,” Troupis attorney Matthew Fernholz said at a hearing Thursday.
He noted that Evers has said he thinks that the Republicans who met in an attempt to cast the state’s electoral votes for Trump committed crimes and should be held accountable.
“I don’t know the basis for that statement, but that’s certainly relevant information for purposes of this lawsuit and for purposes of defending my client,” Fernholz said.
Wisconsin Gov, Tony Evers waves after speaking before President Joe Biden at Earth Rider Brewery, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Superior, Wis. Credit: AP/Adam Bettcher
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, representing Evers and Barnes, tried to block the depositions, arguing they are protected under the law because of their roles as elected officials.
But Dane County Circuit Judge Frank…
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