More than 30 judges say what they describe as a dishonest campaign ad by Judge Michael Gableman has tarnished the entire judicial system.

The group includes four appeals court judges, former Justice William Bablitch and circuit court judges around the state.

They have released a statement saying Gableman crossed all boundaries of fairness, honesty and integrity with an ad attacking Justice Louis Butler.

The ad deals with a case in which Butler represented a man convicted of sexual assault when he was a public defender. It falsely implies Butler helped the man win freedom and he went on to molest again, the group claims.

Gableman, a Burnettt County judge, says he stands by the ad.