Steven M. Foti (born December 3, 1958) is an American lobbyist and Republican politician from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He served 22 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1983–2005), and was majority leader for four terms, from 1997 to 2005. He now works as a lobbyist for Michael Best Strategies.[1]

Steven Foti
Majority Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 6, 1997 – January 3, 2005
Preceded byScott R. Jensen
Succeeded byMichael Huebsch
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 4, 1993 – January 3, 2005
Preceded byStephen Nass
Succeeded byJoel Kleefisch
Constituency38th Assembly district
In office
January 7, 1985 – January 4, 1993
Preceded byRobert Goetsch
Succeeded byDaniel P. Vrakas
Constituency33rd Assembly district
In office
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
Preceded byMary Wagner
Succeeded byCloyd A. Porter
Constituency66th Assembly district
Personal details
Born (1958-12-03) December 3, 1958 (age 65)
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Anne
(div. 2005)
Children3
OccupationLobbyist

Foti was one of several state legislators charged in a 2002 scandal in which public employees were found to have been performing campaign work. Foti pleaded to a misdemeanor, was sentenced to 60 days in jail, and ordered to reimburse the state $300,000 in staff salaries and benefits.

Career

edit

Steven Foti was born and raised and lived much of his life in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He graduated from Oconomowoc High School and went on to attend University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, but did not complete a degree.[2] He worked as a real estate salesman and bartender before serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly for 22 years.[3]

In the fall of 2002, Foti and other legislative leaders were ensnared in a caucus scandal. He was charged with one felony count for using his public office to campaign on state time. He pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 60 days in jail with two years of probation.[4][5]

After leaving the Wisconsin Legislature in 2005, Foti became a lobbyist.[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Steven "Mickey" Foti". Michael Best Strategies. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Foti, Steven M. 1958". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  3. ^ Hall, Dee J. (January 14, 2006). "Foti Guilty in Scandal at Capitol. Former GOP Majority Leader must repay $300,000 in aide's salary, benefits". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  4. ^ Foti Term Twice What State Sought, by Jason Stein, Madison.com, Mar 28, 2006, retrieved June 25, 2020
  5. ^ Assembly leaders charged with misconduct in office, by the Associated Press, Oct 19, 2002, retrieved June 25, 2020
  6. ^ Walters, Steven; Forster, Stacy (March 4, 2006). "Foti tells of caucus' campaign work: He says Jensen, an old friend, gave out assignments". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
edit
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 66th district
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 33rd district
January 7, 1985 – January 4, 1993
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 38th district
January 4, 1993 – January 3, 2005
Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly
January 6, 1997 – January 3, 2005
Succeeded by