Thursday, July 17, 2008

State commerce secretary resigns

By Patrick Marley
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

State Commerce Secretary Jack Fischer submitted his resignation Wednesday, 10 days after the Journal Sentinel reported he claimed questionable expenses while overseas.

Fischer and his administrative assistant billed taxpayers $21,282 in less than three months on three international trips this spring. The expenses included a $555-per-person stay for one night in a hotel and frequent meals that cost more than $80 per person.

The Journal Sentinel also reported that two businessmen who went on a state trip to Ireland and the United Kingdom questioned Fischer’s effectiveness.

Fischer’s resignation is effective Friday. Gov. Jim Doyle appointed him to the $119,851-a-year job in November.

“It has become increasingly difficult to carry out the mission of the department, and I do not want to stand in the way of continuing progress,” Fischer said in a statement.

Fischer, who has declined repeated interview requests, did not return calls Wednesday.

For more, click here.

No comments: