Republican firm acknowledges it didn't turn over court documents (redistricting)

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/169700176.html

Madison -- Attorneys who helped lawmakers draw new election maps last year launched an internal investigation of their firm last month to determine why some documents were not turned over in a court case, according to a document filed late Thursday.

In its filing, the firm Michael Best & Friedrich acknowledged it had not released emails to the court that it should have. The firm has hired the Chicago law firm Schiff Hardin LLP to represent it and has retained Project Leadership Associates to conduct an independent forensic examination of its computers to determine how many documents were improperly withheld, the filing said.

Michael Best has taken the steps as it tries to beat back an attempt by two groups to get a court order that would force the firm to allow a review of its electronic files by a firm of their choosing. The groups have also said they may seek court sanctions against Michael Best.

Republicans ran the Legislature last year and they hired Michael Best to help them draw new maps of legislative and congressional districts. Such maps must be redrawn every ten years to refelect changes in population, and the ones the Republicans drew established lines that will help them tremendously in elections.