In 2001, a critical error by Susan Crawford’s office led to a rapist serving less than two years of a seven-year sentence. Crawford, who was then head of the criminal appeals unit in the Wisconsin Attorney General’s office, missed a filing deadline for an appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This mistake forced the county district attorney into a plea deal that allowed Thomas Gogin, convicted of false imprisonment and sexual assault, to walk free with time served and probation.
The original case involved Gogin forcibly assaulting a friend after a rodeo event. His conviction was challenged on grounds of ineffective legal representation, leading to an appeals court ordering a new trial. However, trials can be emotionally taxing for victims, and repeating one could deter their participation.
Crawford’s office prepared an appeal but filed it late due to miscalculations by three employees. The Wisconsin Supreme Court dismissed it as untimely. Debra Blasius, the prosecuting attorney, was left without options other than negotiating a plea deal.
Attorney General Jim Doyle claimed his office apologized to the victim, though this was disputed by her. Eventually, Crawford personally apologized after being contacted by the victim’s husband. Despite public outcry over the mishandling of the appeal, no immediate disciplinary actions were taken against her staff except for a written reprimand for Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Ptacek.
Crawford suggested that “faulty memory” might prevent understanding how the error occurred. This incident has been cited as indicative of poor judgment and transparency issues in Crawford’s career as she campaigns for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
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