This resulted in the state Judicial Conduct Board bringing 24 formal charges against three Supreme Court judges.
They brought their objections to the Vermont Supreme Court and, in 1984, obtained a ruling in favor of the side judges' decision.
[1] Among the other allegations against Wheel, she was accused of threatening the Vermont Attorney General, John J. Easton Jr., by suggesting she would undermine his 1984 candidacy for governor if he pursued the investigation.
[2] At one point in the investigation, Assistant Attorney General Brian L. Burgess punctured a hole in an office wall in order to eavesdrop on a conversation between Hill and Jeffrey Amestoy, who had succeeded Easton as Attorney General, in order to determine whether Hill was attempting to unduly influence Amestoy.
[3] In 1986 and 1987, Hill, Hayes, and Gibson were accused of tailoring decisions to suit Wheel, and helping her cover up payroll padding.