Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker speaks at the RNC in Tampa, Florida (Reuters)
It’s not clear who the target of the probe is or what the specific charges are, but a special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate possible “violations” in five counties that occurred during the recall election of Governor Scott Walker.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Insiders said the investigation covers several jurisdictions, including Dane County. Police and prosecutors in these other counties have been lending a helping hand.
“It’s now spread to at least five counties,” said a source familiar with the probe, adding that Landgraf has been investigating “all over the place.”
While it isn’t clear who the subject(s) of the investigation is, the incident that sparked the new probe may offer a hint.
Sources said the investigation is following up on a number of leads turned up by an earlier John Doe probe, which was led by Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm into the former and current aides of Gov. Scott Walker during his time as Milwaukee County executive.
Six individuals — including three former Walker aides, an appointee and a major campaign contributor — were convicted of criminal charges as a result of the probe. The first-term Republican governor said he was not a target of the investigation, which ran for nearly three years.
As you may recall, several of Walker’s aides were prosecuted for conducting campaign business on the taxpayer dime while serving under the governor. There were indications that Walker was aware of their actions, but he was never officially named in the probe.
Personally I’d welcome a Walker presidential campaign. It would be the sequel to the Romney campaign without that weatherman-like veneer of business-sense and even less charm.
Keep an eye on this one.