JB Van Hollen for Attorney General - JB's Journal - October 2009: Fixing a Broken System

Fixing a Broken System: DOJ Discovers DNA Database Lacks Samples

Taking violent criminals off the streets is a priority for law enforcement and the Department of Justice. Years of neglect and a lack of leadership left the State Crime Labs further and further behind in processing DNA samples.

As the new, incoming Attorney General, J.B. rightly focused on cleaning up the backlog at the State Crime Labs as part of his overall mission to better serve local law enforcement.

The results have been tremendous…from shorter turn-around times for evidence to solving years old cold cases…the work J.B. and the newly efficient State Crime Labs has been critical to improving law enforcement’s ability to do their job.

So when the DOJ discovered a lack of sufficient DNA samples in the state database the Attorney General immediately launched an investigation. His office uncovered and reported that thousands of DNA samples from felons were not properly submitted by the Department of Corrections.

J.B. met with the Department of Corrections to develop new procedures in the DNA submission process and expand the Department of Justice’s ability to work with local law enforcement to identify criminals and bring them to justice.

State Crime Lab Identifies Milwaukee Serial Murder

New leadership at DOJ is netting results. Since J.B. took office in 2007 he has been cleaning up the mess left by his predecessors at the State Crime Lab and his efforts are putting suspected criminals behind bars.

J.B. announced last month that his efforts to secure a cold case grant resulted in the arrest of the suspected Milwaukee Serial Murder. Click here to read the WKOW-TV story about how JB’s efforts have jump started cold case investigations.

Van Hollen: Task Force to Investigate Fraud in WI Shares Program

As readers of J.B.’s Journal know, the Attorney General will hold individuals and businesses accountable when they fraudulently bilk taxpayers. That is why J.B. helped create a task force to investigate suspects who are using the Wisconsin Shares child care program to fraudulently charge taxpayers.

Click here to read more about J.B.’s joint efforts with law enforcement to root out fraud in this state sponsored child care program.

AG Van Hollen News from Around the State

• DOJ: Milwaukee Nurse Sentenced in Theft Case
• Fox Valley Police Team Up to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse
• Van Hollen: Court Orders $4.5 million in Medicaid Fraud Case
• AG Applauds Decision to Keep Convicted Murder Behind Bars

Join Team Van Hollen

J.B. is ramping up his efforts to create a grassroots network across Wisconsin’s 72 counties and he needs your help.

To find out more information about how you can help out J.B., log on to the homepage of www.VanHollenforAG.com. Our Campaign Action Center will allow you to e-mail your friends about J.B., write letters to the editor, attend J.B.’s next event, and much more.

You can also help J.B. get out his message of fighting crime and restoring integrity at the Department of Justice by signing up to volunteer or making a secure online donation.