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Kevin Shibilski

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Kevin Shibilski
2nd Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism
In office
January 6, 2003 – May 2, 2003
GovernorJim Doyle
Preceded byRichard Speros
Succeeded byJim Holperin
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 24th district
In office
May 15, 1995 – January 6, 2003
Preceded byDavid Helbach
Succeeded byJulie Lassa
Personal details
Born (1961-06-28) June 28, 1961 (age 63)
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSue
Residence(s)Merrill, Wisconsin, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
ProfessionBusinessman

Kevin Shibilski (born June 28, 1961) is an American businessman and former Democratic politician from Wisconsin. He served 8 years in the Wisconsin Senate (1995–2003) and served briefly as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism (2003) under governor Jim Doyle. He also served as register of deeds for Portage County, Wisconsin, and served on the county board of supervisors. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to a number of federal tax crimes arising from his ownership of a waste-recycling business, and was sentenced to 33 months in prison.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

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Born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Shibilski graduated from Stevens Point Area Senior High School and went on to graduate with a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. He is or has been a member of the Izaak Walton League, Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, Whitetails Unlimited, Tomorrow River Lions Club, Ducks Unlimited, Portage County Red Cross board of directors, and Portage County United Way.

Political career

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Shibilski served in the Portage County Board of Supervisors 1982(?)-1987. He then served as Register of Deeds of Portage County 1987–1995.[2]

Wisconsin Senate

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In February 1995, incumbent state senator David Helbach announced his sudden resignation, triggering a special election.[4] Shibilski—who had just won his fourth term as register of deeds in the November 1994 election—immediately entered the race to succeed him.[5] Shibilski faced no opposition for the Democratic nomination and went on to defeat the Republican candidate, Donna Rozar, in the May 2 special election.[6] He joined the Senate later that month and was re-elected without serious opposition in 1996 and 2000.[7][8]

In 2002, Shibilski entered the race for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, but lost in the Democratic primary to Barbara Lawton.[9]

Doyle administration

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After the 2002 election, Shibilski was named by incoming governor Jim Doyle as his choice to head the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. One of his first acts as secretary was to declare a "no snow emergency" when the state experienced a particularly poor winter snow season, dramatically impacting the state's economy.[10]

He stepped down just a few months after taking office, in May 2003. Journalists and political observers speculated that he was pressured to resign by governor Doyle because of controversy over political attacks used in the special election over Shibilski's former state senate seat. Doyle was described as upset that Shibilski was connected to a mailing which accused then-Assembly candidate Julie Lassa of "hooking up" with former Senate majority leader Charles Chvala, who was at that time facing criminal charges. Republicans speculated that Doyle fired Shibilski as a scapegoat for his own involvement in the smear campaign. Doyle and Shibilski had both supported Lassa's opponent, Stevens Point attorney Alex Paul, in the Senate primary. Paul's parents were large contributors to Doyle's gubernatorial campaign, and Paul, Doyle, and Shibilski shared a common campaign strategist. The broader theory was that Doyle, Shibileski, and Paul had an understanding prior to the 2002 election that if Doyle won, Shibileski would receive a cabinet appointment, creating an opportunity for Paul to run for state senate. Lassa ultimately won the primary and the Senate seat, despite being outspent four-to-one in that primary.[11]

Shibilski did not immediately take another job, but three months later he was hired as vice president of Wisconsin public finance for Stifel, Nicolaus and Company.[12][13]

Shibilski was reported to have considered a run for United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 7th congressional district in both 2010 and 2012, but did enter either race.[14][15][16][17][18]

Later career

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After several years with Stifel, Shibilski left that position to become an investor and CEO/CFO in an electronics recycling company called 5R Processors Ltd., established in 1990.[19] The company focused on recycling of cathode ray tubes, appliances, and other home electronic equipment.

Federal indictment

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In July 2020, Shibilski sued his business partners at 5R Processors, accusing them of falsifying accounting and business records to lure investors, like him. A few months later, in September 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Shibilski for his part in the business, bringing charges of wire fraud, illegal disposal of hazardous electronic waste, and tax fraud for not paying employment taxes for 2014 and 2015. Three of his former business partners were also charged and immediately pled guilty and entered into cooperation agreements.[20][21] Shibilski pled guilty in 2022; he was sentenced to 33 months in prison and ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution.[22][23]

Electoral history

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Wisconsin Senate (1995–2000)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1995 Special[6] May 2 Kevin Shibilski Democratic 15,923 57.00% Donna Rozar Rep. 12,011 43.00% 27,934 3,912
1996 General[7] Nov. 5 Kevin Shibilski (inc) Democratic 44,933 84.08% Wayne Wiedeman Tax 8,508 15.92% 53,441 36,425
2000 General[8] Nov. 7 Kevin Shibilski (inc) Democratic 55,760 99.49% --unopposed-- 56,047 55,473

Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor (2002)

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Wisconsin Lieutenant Gubernatorial Election, 2002[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Primary, September 10, 2002
Democratic Barbara Lawton 265,733 54.11%
Democratic Kevin Shibilski 224,834 45.78%
Scattering 525 0.11%
Plurality 40,899 8.33%
Total votes 491,092 100.0%

References

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  1. ^ Robinson, Lucas (February 22, 2023). "'Blatant theft': Former state senator sentenced to 33 months in prison for tax crimes". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Shibilski, Kevin 1961". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  3. ^ "Wisconsin Legislative Spotlight". Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. April 25, 2003.
  4. ^ "Helbach to step down". Marshfield News-Herald. February 17, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Shibilski will seek Helbach seat". Marshfield News-Herald. February 21, 1995. p. 14. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E., eds. (1995). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1995–1996 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 919. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E., eds. (1997). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1997–1998 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 888, 890. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 10, 2001. p. 9. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  9. ^ a b Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/10/2002 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. September 24, 2002. p. 3. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  10. ^ "Tourism: 'No-Snow' emergency". Badger Herald. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2011-08-19.
  11. ^ Callender, David (April 16, 2003). "Republicans jump on Doyle over Shibilski". The Capital Times. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  12. ^ "Shibilski Joins Stifel, Nicolaus and Company" (PDF) (Press release). Stifel, Nicolaus and Company. August 8, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-06-22 – via Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ "Resignation". Wisconsin Report. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  14. ^ "Former State Senator Won't Run for Obey's Seat". Waow News. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  15. ^ "Press release by Kevin Shibilski". Waow News. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  16. ^ "Pat Kreitlow to challenge Sean Duffy in 2012; will Shibilski as well?". Blogging Blue. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  17. ^ "Kevin Shibilski gearing up for challenge to Sean Duffy". Top Stories Milwaukee. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  18. ^ "Duffy may have challenger in 2012". Ashland Current. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  19. ^ "Ex-legislator gets 33 months in employment tax charge case". wsaw.com. February 22, 2023.
  20. ^ Treleven, Ed (September 10, 2020). "Former state senator Kevin Shibilski charged with fraud, environmental misconduct". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Former Wisconsin tourism secretary, state senator pleads guilty to failing to pay employment taxes".
  22. ^ [1]
  23. ^ [2]
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Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 24th district
May 15, 1995 – January 6, 2003 		Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by
Richard Speros
 Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism
January 6, 2003 – May 2, 2003 		Succeeded by
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