Georgia Thompson is one step closer to getting her legal fees paid for. Just a day after the Joint Committee on Finance approved a compensation package for the vindicated state worker, the Senate voted to approve the measure.
Thompson was convicted in 2006 of steering a travel contract to executives who gave money to Governor Jim Doyle's reelection campaign. But a federal appeals court overturned the decision last March and freed Thompson from prison. State Senator Judy Robson noted the $229,000 goes to legal fees, not to Thompson personally.
Robson, the only lawmaker who spoke prior to the Senate's unanimous vote, said she hoped the action would help to restore Thompson's life and career. The bill still needs to pass the Assembly and be signed by the governor.