Referee recommends public reprimand for Fitchburg mayor

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A referee is recommending that a Madison attorney who is also mayor of Fitchburg be publicly reprimanded over some but not all of the counts of misconduct that have been alleged by lawyer-regulators.

The recommendation stems from charges the Office of Lawyer Regulation filed last year against Jason Gonzalez, who was then an alderman. In its complaint, the OLR alleged Gonzalez had committed 9 counts of misconduct arising from his handling of two clients’ cases.

The OLR alleged, among other things, that Gonzalez had failed to do legal research, failed to communicate with a client and failed to diligently pursue a client’s case. The OLR had asked that the Wisconsin Supreme Court publicly reprimand Gonzalez, who filed an answer denying the charges.

The OLR and Gonzalez, represented by Peyton Engel of Hurley Burish & Stanton, Madison, presented evidence at a hearing on Aug. 31 before the referee James Boll.

Boll filed a report on Monday finding that Gonzalez had only committed five of the nine alleged counts of misconduct.

The first three counts, involving Gonzalez’s work in a drunken-driving case, alleged that he had failed to promptly respond to his client’s requests for information, failed  to diligently represent the client and made misrepresentations to the OLR when they were investigating the matter. The remaining two counts involved Gonzalez’s work on a paternity case, specifically his failure to diligently represent his client and his later making misrepresentations to the OLR during its investigation.

Gonzalez may appeal Boll’s findings. The referee will also make recommendations concerning what costs Gonzales ought to pay for the disciplinary proceedings. Ultimately, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will issue a final decision on both matters. Follow @erikastrebel