Scott Walker’s Other Big Problem

[PeaceNikki]

But the recall is not the only thing that must be weighing heavily on Walker’s mind. Walker’s staffers, both from his gubernatorial campaign and from his office when he was Milwaukee County executive, have been caught up in an ongoing John Doe investigation for the past 20 months. But unless the occasional development occurs and is reported in the media, most people overlook it.

Due to the highly secret nature of John Doe investigations, few solid facts are publicly known. But what is known indicates that this is a very large investigation, which has expanded to include many people and many possible problems for Walker and his attempt to remain in office.

It is known that the investigation has involved Walker’s staff at the highest levels of his administrations as county executive and as governor as well as his campaign staff, which are often the same people.

Given these facts, it is still impossible to say that Walker will be indicted. But it can be said that even if Walker is not indicted, the slow but steady drip of information about the John Doe investigation is a big problem for him and his attempt to win the support of Wisconsin voters during a high-stakes recall campaign.

Read the whole piece including details on what is known and the conviction that has already occurred related to the investigation here: http://npaper-wehaa.com/shepherdexpress/2012/01/05/#?article=1486229&page=13

It is my hope and dream that Walker is frogmarched out of OUR HOUSE in Madison before the recall has fully run its course.

Hey, a girl can dream!

[Bjorn Against]

1. Yes I have been patiently waiting for more info on this

I can wait until a few weeks before the recall for all the dirt to be exposed though.

[rurallib]

2. marked to come back to

[patrice]

3. .

[Ohio Joe]

4. Interesting...

Do you know what the expectation is for any additional charges that might be brought? The more of this that can be made public before the re-call, the better.

[PeaceNikki]

5. There are no expectations. It's being done very secretly. The WI DoJ didn't want any part of it.

This was published last week. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/state-doj-officials-wanted-to-stay-out-of-john-doe-probe-sk3kgms-136440828.html

There are some other potentially hot cases pending including a case of Friends of Walker vs GAB to try to get taxpayers to foot the bill for striking names from the recall petitions, cases against the changes to collective bargaining, the voter ID bill and this potentially big thing just happened on redistricting: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1084400

It's going to be another VERY interesting year in Wisconsin.

[hayrow1]

6. A small item that appeared in the Democratic Underground a few weeks ago...

noted that a Koch Brothers front group purchased Bill Gardner's little rail line for lots of $. So much for Bill Gardner exposing the bastards. Gardner pleaded guilty, in a plea agreement, to illegal campaign contributions with regards to Walker's campaign during the summer. Gardner seems to have worked his little plea agreement into lots and lots of $, with the a deal that he would not provide key information in the case against Walker.

[Ellipsis]

8. Watco Companies ... who bought Wis. Southern is not a front company for Koch...

http://www.watcocompanies.com/
However Koch is their largest customer and I'm sure they play at the same country club.

(snip)

Watco announced earlier this week it had acquired controlling ownership of Wisconsin & Southern (WSOR). It said the private deal — no dollar figures were released — will allow WSOR to expand throughout the Midwest, find new markets and provide cost-effective connections for Wisconsin businesses.

But given the political activity of WSOR founder Bill Gardner — who has admitted to $70,000 in illegal and excessive campaign contributions to Gov. Scott Walker and others and was sentenced to two years' probation — some wondered if there was more to the story.

"There's certainly been a lot of speculation," says Frank Huntington of the Wisconsin DOT's railroad division.

And a quick Google search reveals a link between Watco and Koch Industries, the Wichita-based natural resources conglomerate: Koch is the largest customer of Watco and the Koch brothers have been big Walker supporters.

http://host.madison.com/ct/business/biz_beat/biz-beat-wisconsin-southern-buyer-calls-koch-its-largest-customer/article_04f1ea94-1c63-11e1-b955-001871e3ce6c.html

[rfranklin]

12. That's how bidness is done....

you scratch mine and I'll scratch yourn.

[Ellipsis]

7. Scott Walker’s Other Big Problem = Peace Nikki

and others like you which is really what Wisconsin is about.

[Scuba]

11. +1,000

[Lifelong Protester]

9. I'm right there dreaming with you!

Bring on the perp walk!

[Blue Owl]

13. May he be forever known as Scott "Perp" Walker

Please oh please...

[Cleita]

10. Holding that thought of the frogmarch for all you Wisconsinites.

You need that justice because of all that jerk has put you through.