MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Democratic state representative wants the Wisconsin Department of Justice to investigate the way Republicans handled the redrawing of political boundaries in the state.

Rep. John Richards said Thursday he was circulating a letter calling for an investigation in the redistricting process. A federal lawsuit over redistricting is scheduled to begin in Milwaukee later this month.

Richards says he is calling for the investigation following reports that most Republican lawmakers signed a legal agreement in which they promised to not comment publicly about redistricting discussions while new GOP-friendly maps were being drafted.

Richards says it appears the public's right to an open government have been violated.

Republican leaders say the agreements were signed to protect lawmakers from getting involved in lawsuits over the drawing of the maps.