Opinion ID: 2225345
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Jensen's position

Text: ¶ 12 Jensen contends that the phrase the subject of the investigation should not be construed to mean the subject of the [Government Accountability Board] investigation. Instead, Jensen contends that this phrase applies to investigations by the Government Accountability Board, the former Elections Board, [6] the former Ethics Board or those undertaken independently by district attorneys. Jensen was the subject of an investigation by the former Elections Board and by the district attorney. Accordingly, because Jensen's pending charges allege a violation of a law arising from or in relation to his official functions and he was the subject of the investigation, Wis. Stat. § 971.19(12) requires him to be tried in Waukesha County Circuit Court. ¶ 13 Jensen further contends that the term regulation in the phrase any matter that involves elections, ethics, or lobbying regulation does not refer to administrative rule-making. Instead, the term lobbying regulation is a term of art referring to subch. III of ch. 13, which subchapter is entitled the Regulation of Lobbying. Jensen argues that the allegations against him fall squarely within the statute because he was charged with the violation of any other law arising from or in relation to any matter involving elections ... under chs. 5 to 12.