A federal appeals court has overturned the conviction of Georgia Thompson, the former state employee convicted last year of steering a travel contract to a company that donated money to Governor Jim Doyle's campaign. Thompson has been serving an 18 month sentence since November.
Thompson's attorney, Stephen Hurley, says the court order today overturning the conviction vindicates his client. He says the conviction wasn't just reversed, the court ordered her acquitted and released from prison today. However, Hurley says the ruling is somewhat hollow since the case destroyed Thompson's life in the first place.
There has been no indication yet from the US Attorney's office if they will pursue an appeal of the decision. The court is expected to release further details of the decision in a written opinion.