An ethics complaint has officially been filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission against Representative Derrick Van Orden
An ethics complaint has officially been filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission against Representative Derrick Van Orden. The filing alleges that Van Orden published an AI-generated graphic featuring opponent Rebecca Cooke without including a mandatory disclosure, marking a direct violation of Wisconsin campaign ethics regulations.
The complaint comes weeks after legal counsel for Cooke sent a formal cease-and-desist letter on September 30, 2026. That notice warned against the continued dissemination of defamatory AI deepfakes and signaled that further violations would result in formal legal action to address the misconduct.
In a public statement, Cooke criticized Van Orden for resorting to deceptive media rather than addressing key local issues such as farm protection, small business support, and AI data center expansion. The complaint was formally submitted by Eau Claire resident Cassandra Butzler.
Todd Coppernoll oversees local news for WRCO and WRCE radio in Richland Center. Having served Richland Center as Mayor for three terms, Todd brings a unique perspective, and a familiar voice to the news. The focus is local, and so is the reporter.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.
