Pssssssssssst! Democrats File Ethics Complaint Against Governor Walker

[malaise]

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=14204889
<snip>
Wisconsin's Democratic Party filed a formal complaint against Governor Walker, accusing him of several ethics violations.

The accusations stem from a prank phone call last month between the governor and a staff member of a liberal newspaper, The Buffalo Beast, who posed as billionaire conservative David Koch.

In the recorded phone conversation, the governor spoke with the caller about plans to get the 14 absent Democratic senators to return and discussions to plant troublemakers in the crowd of pro-union protesters.

In the complaint, the governor is accused of unfair labor practices and accepting illegal gifts and contributions, among other alleged violations.
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Lawyer up Walker!!!

[tavalon]

1. Oh good, but can they do that with a recorded conversation that

Wanker probably didn't know was recorded?

[Poiuyt]

2. An ethics committee doesn't have the same standard that a court of law would have

All that is needed is a fair and impartial legislature. But with the Republicans controlling both houses in Wisconsin, this will go nowhere.

[Shiver]

3. The Wisconsin Ethics Board

(also known as the Government Accountability Board) is not a part of the legislative houses. It is made up of former state judges, and is (intended to be) non-partisan. They are appointed by the governor, but if I'm reading this right, at least five of the six were appointed by our last governor, who was a Democrat.

I don't known much about the members of the board, although I am looking. Either way, it doesn't go before the state assembly or senate.

For more information: http://gab.wi.gov/

[malaise]

4. Excellent information

Thanks

[Poiuyt]

5. Thanks for the info

I still don't expect anything will happen on this front.

[Motown_Johnny]

8. if nothing else, it will increases the personal and political cost of his actions

and may act as a warning to other (R)s who would consider following in his footsteps.

This is defiantly worth pursuing even if it goes nowhere.

[Lifelong Protester]

13. I agree with you. Things like this will drag him down...

[HEyHEY]

6. In Canada only one person needs to know, likely the same ther.e

[suffragette]

7. As you would say, Sis

Bwahaha!

Great news!

[malaise]

9. LOL

:fistbump:

[suffragette]

11. More from TPM

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/wis-dems-file-ethics-complaint-over-walkers-comments-on-koch-call.php

"It showed Scott Walker as a grandiose plotter who thinks of himself as a national figure in the effort to distort the balance of power between working people and big corporations who seek to transform Wisconsin into a low-wage, low-benefits backwater," state Dem chairman Mike Tate said on a conference call with reporters on Monday. "But I'll leave it to you to discuss the political damage it has done to Walker and his corporate masters.

"What we are here to discuss is the fact that in his phone call, Scott Walker clearly violated campaign finance and ethics laws meant precisely to prevent the kind of shameful activity in which Walker was engaged."

~~~


During the Q&A, TPM asked Tate what he would say to someone who would criticize the complaint as having no realistic chance of being pursued -- that is, it would be viewed as simply a political document attacking the governor.

"I would just dismiss that out of hand," Tate responded. "We're talking about a governor that talked about sowing disorder and violence in a very peaceful crowd. We're talking about a governor that talked about illegally using the attorney general's office. We're talking about a governor that talked about illegal labor practices. We're talking about a governor that talked about illegal campaign practices."


:hi:

[malaise]

12. Thanks Suffragette

:hi:

[MaeScott]

10. K and R. nt