As first reported over at Badger Democracy (a fine blog, by the way) the ongoing Milwaukee County John Doe investigation into allegations of possible wrongdoing by many in the administration of then-Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker may be headed to Madison.
In an interview with WTDY’s Dylan Brogan this morning, “No Quarter” reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Dan Bice reported hearing rumor (unconfirmed) that the John Doe Investigation is moving some of its focus to Madison – and state government.
The most obvious connection to Walker staffers in Milwaukee County and current Walker staff in Madison is obvious – the possibility that campaigning is being conducted on the taxpayer dime. Recent emails from high level Walker staff regarding the mining bill drafting process may confirm that this type of activity is occurring, and thus confirm Bice’s “unconfirmed rumors.”
An email from then – Walker Chief of Staff Keith Gilkes pgs 11-12 of the document) on January 30, 2011 from his Champion Group email to his new government email account references campaign fundraising to a lobbyist for Gogebic Taconite.
To date, the John Doe investigation has yielded two convictions, the first for illegal campaign contributions to Scott Walker (railroad executive William Gardner) and the second for illegal political work on the taxpayers’ dime (Darlene Wink), as well as serious felony charges against two members of Scott Walker’s inner circle during his time as County Executive (Tim Russell, Kelly Rindfleisch). Notably, thirteen people have also been given prosecutorial immunity as part of the John Doe investigation.
I’ve been hearing unconfirmed rumors (as have many others, I’m sure) of the possibility of an illegal computer network having been set up at the State Capitol, a network much like the network set up by Tim Russell in Walker’s County Executive office to avoid the scrutiny of our state’s open records laws. While the rumors are just that – rumors – I don’t think many would be surprised if they’re found to be true, because nothing would surprise me when it comes to Scott Walker.
Is that last sentence a complete thought?
The prosecution has to go through several phases before they can get Scott Walker into court. The John Doe process thus far has been dragged on by what what Rindfleisch and especially Tim Russell have done. The sentencing of Darleen Wink has been delayed now into December. Clearly these people are trying to string this whole thing on as long as possible, an attempt to discredit their trials. The prosecution has dumpsters full of evidence, and Russell changes his lawyers so that the new one has to read all the evidence so he can be properly represented in court. It’s kind of like the Tea Partiers using the huge number of recall signitures to delay the recall, so they can get a “true” recall count.
If they can delay Scott Walker’s court appearance all the way through his term, that reduces the political damage done to Walker and the Republicans. And that increases the chances of letting their screwy laws staying put.
As for the possibility of another illegal computer network being set up at the Capitol, maybe so so let’s look into it. Let’s just not delay the Milwaukee prosecutions any longer, and get Scott Walker in court where he belongs.
It appears from one report that indeed, e-mail records have been requested after Walker became governor. If so that would indicate the Milwaukee phase of the John Doe investigation is complete and the Madison connection, if any, is extending the “ongoing” to “ad infinitum.”
It seems to me that those charged would be eager to end this long delay so they could resume a normal life or begin serving their sentence.