The DOT is under attack for its involvement in a fuel tax dispute between several states and trucking companies tied to Dennis Troha, the Kenosha businessman accused of facilitating illegal campaign donations to Governor Doyle. WisDOT chief attorney Bob Jambois says Troha's past connections to those trucking companies had no bearing on the agency getting involved in the case.
Attorneys made trips out of state for discussions on International Fuel Tax Agreement money Wisconsin-based trucking companies owed. Jambois says there's no basis for criticisms about sending DOT staff out of state to discuss the case. He says DOT involvement in the case stretches back to 2002, before Doyle took office.
Troha is accused of funneling money to family members, who in turn donated it to Governor Jim Doyle's campaign. A federal indictment in the case was handed down last Friday. Jambois says Troha's donations to the Governor's campaign had no bearing on their involvement.
Jambois says the DOT also welcomes any investigation by the FBI. He says the agency has nothing to hide.