Federal court orders more access to GOP computers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A federal court has given groups suing the state broad access to computers used by the Republican-controlled Legislature to redraw political boundaries in 2011.

Monday's ruling by a panel of three judges in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee is the latest setback for Republican lawmakers who have repeatedly tried to block releasing documents related to the long-running case.

The ruling says the groups suing must have access to the computers immediately as they are "extremely likely" to contain information that should have been disclosed before the case went to trial last year.

The judges say that it is likely some form of fraud, misrepresentation or misconduct has occurred.

The lawsuit was brought by a group of Democrats and immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera.