litigation
January 3, 2022

Complaint and Court Filings: American Oversight v. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Vos – Communications and Contract Records Regarding Wisconsin Election Investigation

Lawsuit filed by American Oversight against the Wisconsin State Assembly seeking the release of records — including communications and contracts with contractors — concerning an investigation into the state’s November 2020 election results.

2020 election interference
Immigration
January 6
Trump administration accountability
Wisconsin
Inquiriespress@americanoversight.org
Statusopen
Docket Number 21-2521
SHARE

Lawsuit filed by American Oversight against the Wisconsin State Assembly seeking the release of records — including communications and contracts with contractors — concerning an investigation into the state’s November 2020 election results.

Oct. 19, 2021: Initial Complaint

October 2022

Oct. 25: Court decision and order denying defendant’s motion for reconsideration

July 2022

July 15: Court order granting in part American Oversight’s motion for summary judgment

April 2022

April 8: Defendant’s motion to restrict access to records
April 12: American Oversight’s opposition to the motion to restrict access
April 28: American Oversight’s motion for summary judgment

March 2022

March 11: Court order granting American Oversight’s motion to compel

February 2022

Feb. 1: American Oversight’s motion to compel written discovery responses
Feb. 4: American Oversight’s opposition to Wisconsin State Assembly’s motion for protective order
Feb. 4: Affidavit of Christa Westerberg in opposition to motion for protective order 
Feb. 25: Court Order granting protective order regarding deposition of Alex Richter
Feb. 25: American Oversight Letter Regarding Discovery Responses Status Update

January 2022

Jan. 3: American Oversight’s Response to Motion for Protective Order
Jan. 7: Vos’s Motion to Stay Court Order Pending Appeal
Jan. 7: Vos’s Petition for Leave to Appeal in Wisconsin Court of Appeals
Jan. 10: American Oversight’s Response to Petition for Leave to Appeal
Jan. 10: American Oversight’s Opposition to Vos’s Motion to Stay
Jan. 10: Appeals Court Denial of Vos’s Motion to Stay
Jan. 11: Circuit Court Denial of Vos’s Motion to Stay
Jan. 12: Vos’s Petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Jan. 28: Vos’s Motion for Protective Order
Jan. 31: Court Order Vacating Briefing Schedule

December 2021

Dec. 1: Vos’s Answer
Dec. 21: Vos’s Motion for a Protective Order

Oct. 19, 2021: Initial Complaint
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21088011-complaint-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-state-assembly-?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Dec. 20, 2021: Vos’s Answer
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21173902-dec-1-voss-answer-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-state-assembly?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Dec. 21, 2021: Vos’s Motion for a Protective Order
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21173901-dec-21-voss-motion-for-a-protective-order-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-state-assembly?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Jan. 3, 2022: American Oversight’s Response to Motion for Protective Order
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21172883-motion-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-state-assembly-american-oversights-response-to-motion-for-protective-order?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Jan. 7, 2022: Vos’s Motion to Stay Court Order Pending Appeal
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21176392-voss-notice-of-motion-and-motion-to-stay-order-received-jan-10-2021?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Jan. 7, 2022: Vos’s Petition for Leave to Appeal
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21176394-voss-petition-for-leave-to-appeal?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Jan. 10, 2022: American Oversight’s Response to Petition for Leave to Appeal
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21176456-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-assembly-speaker-vos-response-to-petition-for-leave-to-appeal-jan-10-2022?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Jan. 10, 2022: American Oversight’s Opposition to Motion to Stay Order
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21176507-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-asssembly-speaker-robin-vos-opposition-to-voss-motion-to-stay?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Jan. 11, 2022: Vos’s Petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21177177-vos-petition-wi-supreme-court?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Jan. 28, 2022: Vos’s Motion for Protective Order 
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21195793-assembly-speaker-voss-motion-for-protective-order-against-additional-discovery-jan-28-2022?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Jan. 31, 2022: Court Order Vacating Briefing Schedule 
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21193703-jan-31-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-state-assembly-court-order-vacating-briefing-schedule?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Feb. 1, 2022: American Oversight’s Motion to Compel Discovery 

These responses are accompanied by several exhibits supporting American Oversight’s positions, including transcripts of the Jan. 12, 2022, depositions of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and his aide, Steve Fawcett.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21195801-american-oversight-v-assembly-speaker-vos-american-oversights-motion-to-compel-discovery-feb-1-2022?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Feb. 4, 2022: American Oversight’s Opposition to Wisconsin State Assembly’s Motion for Protective Order 
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21198886-feb-4-2022-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-state-assembly-wisconsin-state-assemblys-motion-for-protective-order?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Feb. 4, 2022: Affidavit of Christa Westerberg in Opposition to Motion for Protective Order 
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21198887-feb-4-2022-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-state-assembly-affidavit-of-christa-westerberg-in-opposition-to-motion-for-protective-order?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Feb. 25, 2022: Court Order Granting Protective Order Regarding Deposition of Alex Richter
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21274295-feb-25-2022-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-state-assembly-court-order-granting-protective-order-regarding-deposition-of-alex-richter?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
Feb. 25, 2022: American Oversight Letter Regarding Discovery Responses Status Update
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21280208-feb-25-2022-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-state-assembly-american-oversight-letter-regarding-discovery-responses-status-update?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
March 11, 2022: Court Order Granting American Oversight’s Motion to Compel
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21410092-march-11-2022-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-assembly-speaker-vos-court-order-granting-american-oversights-motion-to-compel?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
April 8, 2022: Defendant’s Motion to Restrict Access to Records
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21582349-american-oversight-v-wisconsin-assembly-speaker-robin-vos-motion-to-restrict-access-to-records-april-8-2022?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
April 12, 2022: American Oversight’s Opposition to Motion to Restrict Access to Records
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21583917-20220412-opposition-to-motion?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1
April 28, 2022: American Oversight’s Motion for Summary Judgment
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21777714-20220429-ao-motion-for-summary-judgment-with-exhibits?responsive=1&title=1&onlyshoworg=1

Related Investigations

Wisconsin’s Baseless Investigation of the 2020 Election

Following the 2020 election, Wisconsin joined a growing list of states where allies of former President Trump launched bogus “investigations” as part of an effort to cast doubt on the results and perpetuate the Big Lie that the election was somehow stolen. American Oversight's fight for the release of public records related to the investigation has shed light on the partisan and election-undermining origins of the taxpayer-funded operation.

2020 election interference
Election denial
Voting rights

News updates

Court Rules Vos Violated Public Records Law, Orders Response to American Oversight’s Requests Within 20 Days

Jul 15, 2022

American Oversight Files Brief in Opposition to Speaker Vos’ Attempt to Block Release of Records

Apr 15, 2022

American Oversight Obtains Previously Deleted Records from Wisconsin Election Investigation

Apr 08, 2022
Robin Vos with gavel over his face.

Update: Wisconsin Supreme Court Denies Vos’s Latest Efforts to Avoid Deposition in American Oversight Lawsuit

Jan 11, 2022
Lady justice with scales, next to Robin Vos. Wisconsin map in the background.

Court Orders Depositions of Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Vos and Counsel in Lawsuit Seeking Release of Election Investigation Records

Jan 04, 2022
Lady justice with scales, next to Robin Vos. Wisconsin map in the background.

American Oversight Files Second Lawsuit Against Wisconsin Assembly Speaker for Election Investigation Records

Oct 19, 2021