MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Former Gov. Tony Earl says he did nothing wrong in helping an acquaintance land a top legal job at the Department of Workforce Development.

Earl says he didn't know the hiring scandal had cost taxpayers $346,000 in legal settlements with candidates passed over for the job as the state's top unemployment insurance lawyer.

Earl says he has known Daniel LaRocque "since he was a youngster" and was friends with his father and uncle.

Earl says he called his former policy director, Hal Bergan, to put in a good word for LaRocque. Bergan was the Workforce Development official in charge of the hiring.

A hearing examiner who reviewed the case said Bergan broke department rules in hiring LaRocque, who got the job based on political connections.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)