Scott Walker’s John Doe/Wisconsin & Southern connection

Last week I wrote about the immunity deal granted to Cullen Werwie, Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s spokesperson, in an ongoing John Doe investigation in Milwaukee County.

Barely mentioned in the account of Werwie’s immunity deal was the immunity deal that was also given to Ken Lucht, the manager of community development with Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. According to reports, Lucht received immunity on January 14, 2011. What’s interesting about Ken Lucht is that he’s not the only executive from Wisconsin & Southern Railroad to have some involvement or knowledge of shady/illegal dealings within the gubernatorial campaign of Scott Walker.

Earlier this year William Gardner, who at the time was the president and chief executive officer of Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, was charged and ultimately convicted of violating state campaign finance laws. Gardner admitted he exceeded campaign contribution limits in support of Walker’s gubernatorial campaign and laundered additional campaign contributions through employees and associates, essentially giving company or personal funds to others so they could make political donations at his direction.

Now here’s where things get really interesting.

According to a followup report by Dan Bice of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, longtime Walker campaign treasurer John Hiller cut ties with Walker’s campaign in May of this year, and according to that same report by Bice the John Doe investigation in Milwaukee County which initially had focused on campaign activity by Walker’s former county workers may now be looking in a new direction.

“Every time there’s a new witness, this thing sprouts a new branch and heads in a completely new direction,” said one person familiar with the investigation.

Obviously I’m speculating, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Ken Lucht was given immunity from prosecution because he had knowledge of more extensive campaign finance violations beyond those exposed by William Gardner’s admission and conviction, and I wouldn’t be shocked if John Hiller’s decision to leave Walker’s campaign was more than just mere coincident.

Oh, and did I mention that Walker’s campaign paid former U.S. Attorney Steve Biskupic over $60,000 for his “expertise?” If there’s nothing untoward about the way Scott Walker’s gubernatorial campaign raised money, why are there so many lawyers involved?