Scott Walker

Wisconsin Republicans Complain Voter ID Judge Signed Walker Recall Petition

Ryan J. Reilly | March 7, 2012, 4:01PM

Wisconsin Republicans have filed a complaint about the judge who temporarily blocked a voter ID law from taking effect, arguing he couldn't be a neutral arbitrator because he signed a petition calling for the recall of Gov. Scott Walker (R).

The complaint, filed with the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, said that Judge David Flanagan should have recused himself from the case or at least disclosed that he had signed the Walker recall petition. They pointed out that the group circulating the petition listed the voter ID law as one of the reasons to recall Walker.

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Arizona

Tougher Than Wisconsin: Arizona Republicans Launch 'All Out Assault' On Public Unions

Nick R. Martin | January 31, 2012, 5:13PM

The Arizona State House of Representatives in Phoenix, AZ

With a sweeping series of bills introduced Monday night in the state Senate, Republicans in Arizona hoped to make Wisconsin's battle against public unions last year look like a lightweight sparring match.

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Wisconsin

Former Walker Aide Copping A Plea In Probe Of Other Ex-Aides

Eric Kleefeld | January 26, 2012, 6:29PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Here is another wrinkle in the charges filed Thursday in the investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from his time as Milwaukee County Executive: One of them has worked out a plea bargain, and will provide testimony against others in the investigation.

The charges were announced Thursday by District Attorney John Chisholm (D). Walker's former deputy chief of staff Kelly Rindfleisch, and former constituent services coordinator Darlene Wink, are charged with illegally raising money while in a county building and using government equipment to do so. (Rindfleisch was allegedly raising money then state Rep. Brett Davis, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2010 Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor, while Wink was allegedly raising money for Walker.)

But interestingly, the charges against Rindfleisch are felonies, while those against Wink are just misdemeanors.

As WisPolitics reports, there does appear to be a plea bargain going on -- that Wink will plead guilty to the misdemeanors, in exchange for her testimony against others in the case. Wink's attorney confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that she is cooperating with the investigation, and hopes to reach a plea bargain.

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Wisconsin

Two Former Walker Aides Charged With Fundraising On Government Time

Eric Kleefeld | January 26, 2012, 12:03PM

Two more people have been charged in the investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from his time as Milwaukee County Executive -- including the person whose original alleged misconduct appears to have set off the whole business to begin with.

The charges were announced Thursday by District Attorney John Chisholm (D). Walker's former deputy chief of staff Kelly Rindfleisch, and former constituent services coordinator Darlene Wink, are charged with illegally raising money while in a county building and using government equipment to do so.

Wink is charged with fundraising for Walker, while Rindfleisch is charged with fundraising for a whole different candidate in another race -- then state Rep. Brett Davis, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2010 Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor. As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel points out, after Davis lost the primary he has since become Walker's state Medicaid director.

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Wisconsin

Milwaukee D.A. Announces Charges Against Ex-Walker Aide, Two Others In 'John Doe' Probe

Eric Kleefeld | January 5, 2012, 3:13PM

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm (D) announced on Thursday charges against three men, including a former top aide to Gov. Scott Walker (R) during his time as Milwaukee County Executive, in two separate sets of criminal allegations.

Tim Russell, a former county aide to Walker, and Kevin Kavanaugh, former treasurer of the Milwaukee chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (and also Walker's appointee to the Milwaukee County Veteran Service Commission), are charged with mishandling funds involved in a military charity project that had been spearheaded by Walker, called Operation Freedom. The money was intended to help wounded veterans and the families of service-members who were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To be clear, Walker's county office itself, in 2010, asked prosecutors to investigate the missing money, after a shortfall of $11,000 was discovered.

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Wisconsin

Former Walker Aide Arrested In 'John Doe' Investigation

Eric Kleefeld | January 5, 2012, 12:08PM

Updated January 5, 12:33 p.m. ET

A new round of arrests has been made in the investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from his time as Milwaukee County Executive. This time, it is three different men, in a matter that reportedly involves serious alleged misconduct for a military charity.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

Tim Russell, a longtime Walker campaign and county staffer, was charged with two felony and one misdemeanor count of embezzlement. One source said the charges are tied to Operation Freedom, an annual military appreciation day held at the zoo.

...

Pierick, 48, was charged with two felonies counts for child enticement. He is an office operations assistant at DPI dealing with education for homeless children and youth, according to the agency's website.

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voter fraud

Fox Falsely Claims 'Mickey Mouse' And 'Adolf Hitler' Are On Scott Walker Recall Petition (VIDEO)

Ryan J. Reilly | December 15, 2011, 1:32PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) shakes hands with Republican legislative members after delivering his budget address to a joint session of the legislature at the state Capitol on March 1, 2011 in Madison, WI.

Fox News reporter Eric Shawn told viewers on Thursday that signatures from "Mickey Mouse" and "Adolf Hitler" were "allegedly on petitions in Wisconsin in the recall for Governor Scott Walker." Fun little story with the potential to go viral? Absolutely. True? Not so much.

In fact, the original story that Shawn evidently built his report off of is about a strictly hypothetical situation discussed by members of the Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board who were asked what would happen if someone signed the petition as Mickey Mouse. There's been no actual allegation that anyone actually signed the petition against Walker that way.

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Wisconsin

First Arrest Made In Wisconsin "John Doe" Investigation

Eric Kleefeld | December 14, 2011, 11:56AM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

The first arrest has been made in the investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) from his time as Milwaukee County Executive -- reportedly for non-cooperation with the investigation by a Walker supporter.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's "No Quarter" blog reports:

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Wisconsin

Ex-Walker Aide Returns To Work After Extended Leave, FBI Raid

Eric Kleefeld | October 18, 2011, 11:13AM

Cynthia Archer, a former aide to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, is back in her state job after her house was raided by the FBI last month.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

Archer reported to her job at the Department of Children and Families for the first time on Monday, eight weeks after her medical leave began, according to department spokeswoman Sara Buschman.

Archer will work half days this week and full days next week, Buschman said. Buschman did not say if Archer's time off this week would be treated as medical leave, vacation or another type of leave.

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Scott Walker

Walker Spokesman Given Immunity In Investigation -- Has No Comment

Eric Kleefeld | September 23, 2011, 6:02PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's (R) spokesman, plus two supporters, have now been granted immunity in the ongoing campaign finance investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from Walker's time as Milwaukee County Executive.

WisPolitics reports:

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Wisconsin

Wis. Attorney General Says Politics Didn't Play Into DOJ Not Being Part Of Walker Probe

Eric Kleefeld | September 22, 2011, 1:00PM

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen (R)

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen (R) has confirmed that state Department of Justice staff are not participating in the apparent investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), from Walker's time as Milwaukee County Executive -- but says it was by the "mutual agreement" of both his office and the Milwaukee District Attorney's office.

Van Hollen's comments follow a report that his office had declined a request for assistance from the Milwaukee District Attorney's office.

"The actual decision came down to very legitimate legal and logistical ones," Van Hollen told ABC affiliate in Madison. "Once this is all completed and the information comes out, it'll be very clear why our decision was made."

When the station's reporter asked whether the fact that both Van Hollen and Walker are Republicans played into his decision, Van Hollen responded: "Politics never plays a role in any of the decisions we make at the Department of Justice."

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Wisconsin

Report: Wis. Attorney General Declined To Help With Walker Investigation

Eric Kleefeld | September 21, 2011, 11:41AM

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen

In the latest development in the apparent investigation of former aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) from his time as Milwaukee County Executive, it has now been reported that state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, a fellow Republican, has previously declined a request from Milwaukee's Democratic district attorney to assist in the investigation.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

State Department of Justice officials would not say why the agency chose not to assist with the investigation of Walker's former county staffers.

Sources said the request was made around the time of the November 2010 election.

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Wisconsin

Walker: I Only Know About Investigation From The News

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2011, 4:13PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has spoken publicly on the apparent investigation of former aides from his time as Milwaukee County Executive -- saying that he does not know any of the details.

"We don't know what exactly is involved," Walker told the Associated Press on Friday, when asked at an unrelated event in Milwaukee.

He also added: "Until we know, obviously it's a concern but again, I don't know any more details than what I've seen reported in the media outlets around the state."

The "John Doe" investigation -- a secret proceeding in which witnesses can be subpoenaed to testify under oath, but are forbidden from talking publicly about the case -- is reported to have originally stemmed from a staffer resigning in 2010, when she was found using her county time to post reader comments on online newspaper article promoting Walker's gubernatorial candidacy and criticizing his opponents.

Wisconsin

'John Doe': How Blog Comments Have Launched Probe Of Walker

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2011, 11:49AM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

The ongoing ethics probe of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's (R) time as Milwuakee County Executive all stems from a uniquely modern-day source -- blog commenting.

For his part, Walker has not commented publicly on the latest developments, the Associated Press reports -- he was out of the state on Thursday, campaigning for Republicans in Kentucky, and his office has declined to comment.

The trouble all began in 2010, when Walker was a candidate for governor. Darlene Wink, his constituent services coordinator in the county, resigned after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that she had been using state time to post comments on the paper's articles, promoting Walker and criticizing his opponents in the gubernatorial race.

For example, one comment criticized Walker's opponent in the Republican primary, former Congressman Mark Neumann: "Conservatives need to listen to what Neumann is really saying - the true conservative in the race for Governor is Walker." Wink posted her comments under the handle "RPMCVP" -- a reference to her dual position as vice chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Republican Party.

Since her resignation, the investigation has continued very much under the radar. An additional part of the murkiness of the situation is that the investigation is what is known in Wisconsin as a "John Doe" investigation -- a secret proceeding in which witnesses can be subpoenaed to testify under oath, but are forbidden from talking publicly about the case.

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Wisconsin

FBI Raids Home Of Walker Aide

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2011, 1:38PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Updated: September 15, 2:37PM

The FBI on Wednesday raided the Madison home of a former aide to Gov. Scott Walker, as part of an ongoing investigation.

The home of Cynthia A. Archer was raided Wednesday morning, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Archer had previously been a top aide to Walker when he was Milwaukee County Executive. She has owned her Madison home since 1988, rented it out during her years working for Walker in Milwaukee County, and then moved back when he became governor.

There is currently an ongoing investigation into whether county employees engaged in political activity for Walker when he was the executive.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office confirmed to TPM that a deputy was present at Wednesday's raid, but was not involved in the investigation itself -- only to provide security outside the house. When asked for comment by TPM, the FBI referred questions about the matter to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office. The D.A. office declined comment. TPM also contacted Archer, who declined to comment citing a request from law enforcement.

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Voter Identification

Wisconsin Expanding DMV Services For Voter-ID, After Complaints About Closures

Eric Kleefeld | August 5, 2011, 12:47PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

The state of Wisconsin's recently passed Voter ID law will now result in an increased cost to the state, as Department of Motor Vehicles offices are expanded in order to accommodate the increased demand for photo identification cards.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that state Secretary of Transportation Mark Gottlieb announced the expansion on Thursday, which will leave all current DMV offices still open, increase the total number of offices from 88 to 92, and increase total office hours across the state by about 32,000 per year.

The change is expected to cost $6 million in the first year, and $4 million for each additional year going forward.

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Voter Identification

Wisconsin GOP Sends Voter ID Bill To Walker's Desk

Eric Lach | May 19, 2011, 2:28PM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

A bill requiring Wisconsin voters to show photo ID in order to vote has passed the state Senate and is on its way to Gov. Scott Walker's desk, WisPolitics reports.

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Wisconsin

Walker's Office Confirms Governor Fell For 'Koch' Prank Call (AUDIO)

Eric Lach | February 23, 2011, 11:37AM

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) and David Koch

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's office has confirmed that it fell for a prank call from a liberal blogger who was apparently posing as David Koch. A blogger at buffalobeast.com posted audio of a call he claimed was with Walker earlier on Wednesday. At time of writing, buffalobeast.com appears to be down.

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Wisconsin

WI House Dems Warn Gov. Walker Not To Cross NFL Packers

Susan Crabtree | February 18, 2011, 11:13AM

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker may be engaged in a high-stakes political battle with Democrats and state workers, but he's playing with fire by clashing with the Green Bay Packers, warn two Democratic members of the state's delegation in the U.S. House.

In a match-up between Walker and the Packers, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), a popular former county prosecutor in the state, says his money is on his Superbowl champions.

"I wouldn't want to be going up against the Packers right now," he said.

"Yeah, I like those odds," remarked Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

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