In 2000, the head of the County's Human Resources department testified that, according to the Milwaukee's only daily newspaper, the "backdrop benefit cost estimate was done.
In 2002, a conservative based group with ties to the Republican party and aided by conservative talk radio show hosts on radio station WTMJ, launched a recall campaign against the Democratic County Executive which they claimed he masterminded for personal benefit despite the fact that he publicly signed a waiver of all backdrop benefits.
After sufficient petitions were certified to force a recall, the County Executive chose to step down rather than face an election.
Pro-recall activists, having earned the right to special election to fill the vacated seat, supported Scott Walker as County Executive.
In 2009, a civil lawsuit was filed by Milwaukee County against Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Inc., a global financial-advice firm.