Waukesha County Clerk Embroiled in Controversy for Years

[Ellipsis]

In 2006, Nickolaus found herself in a similar situation as now when computer equipment in her office briefly showed Waukesha Taxpayers League President Chris Lufter beating then Waukesha County Supervisor Bill Kramer in the 97th Assembly District Republican primary race.


In 2005, Nickolaus was subject to scrutiny during the special election to replace Waukesha County Executive Dan Finely when sample ballots she submitted to area newspapers included a mark showing a vote for Dwyer, who ran against then-state Rep. Dan Vrakas.

Prior to being elected county clerk in 2002, Nickolaus worked as a staffer in the Republican Caucus Several lawmakers served time in prison for their roles in the scandal, however, Nickolaus was given immunity in exchange for her cooperation in the investigations.

Prosser had been part of the Republican Assembly Caucus prior to being appointed to the Supreme Court by former Gov. Tommy Thompson, which has fueled further questions by Democrats in the revelation of the unreported votes.

http://brookfield-wi.patch.com/articles/waukesha-county-clerk-embroiled-in-controversy-for-years

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. I hope they finally get her and I hope they follow the trail right to KKKRove. n/t

[karnac]

2. Damn, she's good at losing republican votes.

What we need is to eliminate those pesky folks that help her find them again. :D

[LisaL]

7. But she always finds them in the end.

Has her "human error" ever benefited a democrat?

[Snotcicles]

23. She has become an accomplished tear faucet. nt

[Ellipsis]

3. prosecutors claimed Nickolaus developed a program used by state officials to track donations

In a criminal complaint issued in 2002 against then-Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen and others, prosecutors claimed Nickolaus developed a computer software program that was used by state officials to track donations. According to a Journal Sentinel story, Nickolaus said she developed the software on her own time because she wanted to sell it to the state elections agency for use in automating state-required campaign reports. She left the caucus around that time.

Waukesha County clerk served GOP caucus while Prosser oversaw it
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/119494389.html

[Ellipsis]

4. "She left the caucus around that time."

[karnac]

9. yup. she wasn't the only one...

Look at all these unindicted crooks!!!

http://www.wisdc.org/caucusimmunity.php

(Note: Assembly Republican Caucus is abbreviated as "ARC", Assembly Democratic Caucus as "ADC" and the Senate Democratic Caucus as "SDC".)

1. Nancy Gaulrapp, former SDC employee (granted 9/7/01)
2. Carrie Lynch, former SDC employee (granted 10/12/01)
3. Andrew Engel, former SDC employee (granted 10/12/01)
4. Jonathan Carson, former SDC Director (granted 10/12/01)
5. Kathy Nickolaus, former ARC computer expert (granted 10/12/01)
6. Eric Grant, former ARC graphic artist (granted 10/18/01)
7. Branda Weix, former SDC employee (granted 10/31/01)
8. Melanie Hartsough, former ARC employee (granted 11/6/10)
9. Kacy Hack, former ARC graphic artist (granted 11/6/01)
10. Susan Egger, former ADC administrative assistant (granted 11/8/01)
11. Ron Legro, former treasurer of the Wisconsin Voter Education Fund (granted 11/21/01)
12. Cindy Maracek, former SDC graphic artist (granted 11/21/01)
13. Michelle Arbiture, former ARC employee (granted 12/14/01)
14. Rachel Roller, former SDC employee (granted 2/4/02)
15. Steve Baas, current aide to Speaker Scott Jensen (granted 2/6/02)
16. James Emerson, former ARC Policy Director (granted 2/8/02)
17. Jacob Wittwer, former ADC employee and aide to Rep. Shirley Krug (granted 3/13/02)
18. Lance Walter, former SDC employee (granted 3/15/02)
19. Paula McGuire, current aide to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala (granted 3/27/02)
20. Thomas Boeder, Director of Independent Citizens for Democracy (granted 7/10/02)
21. Cindy Polzin, current aide to Rep. Steve Foti (granted 7/17/02).
22. Michelle McGrorty, former SDC employee (granted 7/18/02).
23. Scott McCormick, treasurer, Independent Citizens for Democracy (granted 7/18/02).


One thing I don't understand. why the HECK did they grant immunity to graphic artists of both parties? how do you launder money with pictures?

[Ellipsis]

17. Most of them were just staff - under direction...thats why they narced and got immunity.

It was a job.

[Ellipsis]

18. I want to say she left before this went down too. n/t

[Ellipsis]

21. .

[trueblue2007]

5. put her in JAIL !!!!!!!!

[LisaL]

6. Wow. A sample ballot showing a vote?

Human error again?

[Ellipsis]

8. 2009 COMPLETE INDEX TO NEWS, OPINION & INFORMATION ON THE WISCONSIN CAUCUS SCANDAL OF 2001–

http://www.caucusscandal.com/

I can't believe somebody indexed it.

[Tx4obama]

10. Errors like the omission of the Brookfield totals are NOT uncommon - even in other states.

See the last third section of this article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/09/wisconsin-election-bombshell_n_847000.html

[karnac]

11. Don't stop us now!

The weaving in the other older scandal will keep us amused and fascinated for months! :D

[Tx4obama]

12. LOL :) n/t

[Ellipsis]

16. I remember when that went down.

They were both clients on and off.

It was a mutual excepted practice on both sides. They both deserved what they got. I'm interested in the software she programed and designed.

That interests me.

[Ellipsis]

14. Oh I believe it

It's just as you add up all the circumstantial stuff it just doesn't pass the smell test. and we are going to take a stronger look into it.

I have yet to say there was fraud ... but I consider it. We have to.

All of Waukesha County will be hand counted ... it'll be free, more so, at the dime of the Waukesha. She took the data out of the "locked office" to quote her.

We need a complete hand recount across the whole state, and Kloppenburg can ask for that. I'd just start doing some random state wide audit samples of 10%

Cherry pick a few wards and see if you get lucky.

As to whether or not she'll be granted a manual recount. Who knows.

[pacalo]

15. And do those who committed those "human errors" have as questionable a record

as Ms. Nickolaus? Did the states involved have a political climate like Wisconsin currently has, with a one-party lock on every branch of its government by power-drunk dictators? Look at the whole picture & there's reason for healthy skepticism.

[pacalo]

13. There's a pattern here that makes the "human error" excuse laughable. With her history, why is she

still working in public office tabulating votes?

Also, I'm wondering about why she had "security concerns" when she's a Republican living in one of the reddest counties in the state. What I think she was concerned about was privacy to be able to do her thing.

There are people who are goofy enough to risk their jobs, freedom, families, homes to get what they want. There was a local story in my newspaper today about a young woman who worked for a civic association at bingo games, & she was arrested for gradually taking almost $150k as a cashier. It was discovered through an audit that she had reported higher payouts than the other cashiers. From looking at her picture with the orange suit on, the expression on her face was no less fazed than if she were taking a church picture. Just one example of how bold some people can be.

[karnac]

19. Actually the older scandal says alot about wisconsin

It was a HUGE deal, 5 people got convicted.

The Dem majoriity leader(The big fish) only got 9 months AND he got his license to practice law back.
As far as i can tell they all can practice law again and/or had their convictions overturned. At leqst one of them is working for the state again!

This never would happen in CA.

Not saying there is any more corruption in Wisconsin than anywhere else. Just a heck of a lot of forgiveness for past issues.


As far as her situation, she gets elected and re-elected. Why? Her job does not just consist of just keeping track of votes. But of schmoozing like a politician.. If you ignore her lack of data entry skills, it appears she has done a good job of at least that.

Im too lazy to go looking back again newspaper records in the area, but it appears she has won numerous good-deed-type awards/thanks for stuff like explaining elections to high schoolers to making things easier for seniors/hispanics to vote. And participating in fund drives. Even having VERY friendly relations with the few Democrats in the area.

That very skill set has allowed her constituents to look past her bloopers(which have not been consequential til now) and her obvious control freakiness.

[tanyev]

20. Today's GOP--making incompetence work very well for them.

[Blue Owl]

22. anyone with half a brain

sees the "pattern" in your mistakes Ms. Nickolaus, you lying sack of shit cheater.