Over at the “non-partisan” rag that is Media Trackers, Collin Roth wrote a piece a few days ago attacking Scot Ross, the former Executive Director of One Wisconsin Now, as being “hyper-partisan.” Roth goes on to allege Ross was the “subject of similar crimes” to those alleged to have been committed by three close aides to then-Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker.
Here’s what Roth wrote (emphasis mine):
Ross was involved in the legislative Caucus Scandal racking up nearly $4,000 in legal fees. It must be awkward for Kathleen Falk to criticize Governor Walker’s current John Doe investigation when the man writing her statements has been the subject of similar crimes.
I think it must be awkward for Collin Roth not to understand the difference between being alleged to have committed crimes (as Darlene Wink, Kelly Rindfleisch, and Tim Russell are) and having been tangentially involved in an investigation into wrongdoing (as Scot Ross was).
If Collin Roth was really interested in being “non-partisan,” he’d write about a real story – such as the apparent culture of corruption in Scott Walker’s County Executive office – instead of writing a hackish hit piece on Scot Ross.
Then again, it’s pretty clear the Collin Roth and the rest of the folks at Media Trackers aren’t interested in being “non-partisan.”
“— Both parties blurred the lines between off- and on-the-job campaign work.
Assembly Republican Caucus aide Bill Cosh testified that he worked full time on campaigns in the 2000 elections, even though state taxpayers paid 70% of his salary during that period.
Former Assembly Democratic Caucus aide Scot Ross told investigators that for five months in 2000, he worked practically full-time on campaign issues including the first campaign of Rep. Terry Van Akkeren (D-Sheboygan).”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Steven Walters, March 13, 2006
Combined with previously released documents, the reports made public Tuesday demonstrate that leaders of both parties had Assembly aides campaign on state time, conspired to get around campaign-finance laws, and listed which lobbyists could help them raise record amounts of campaign cash. At the time, Democrats wanted to retain control of the Senate and Republicans wanted to maintain their majority in the Assembly.
Jensen’s motion was supported by summaries of interviews in late 2001 by Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard and state investigators with former Assembly Democratic staff members – including Richard Judge, now Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle’s campaign manager.
Judge and former Democratic Assembly aides Tanya M. Bjork, Raghu Devaguptapu and Scot Ross told investigators of extensive on-the-job campaigning, recruitment of candidates and fund raising – time-consuming activities that, occasionally, left them unavailable to work on public policy issues.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Steven Walters and Patrick Marley, February 1, 2006
You ever happen to read the John Doe from the Caucus Scandal Zach? You find that Scot got immunity.
By your logic, Cullen Werwie must have committed a crime since he got immunity.
Follow the logic!
Hey Kevin – I guess expecting Scott Walker’s staff to simply comply with the law was too much, let alone shooting for some transparency and honesty in government. Spare us. The “everybody does it” defense doesn’t work in court and it’s pretty damn pathetic.
I’m glad the clown parade above at least admits that Scott Walker is involved in criminal behavior. It’s a small start, but a start.
Dad29 and Wigderson are admitting Walkergate looks real.
But strangely, Cindy over at “Fairly” Conservative is still drinking the Scott Walker Kool-Aid.