Scott Walker Aide Convicted of Stealing from Veterans' Group

Scott Walker on motorcycle at Operation Freedom event,
Walker's aides stole-from fund
meant for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Update: “I think it would be difficult for any experienced criminal lawyer to conclude anything but that the governor in one way, shape or form has some involvement in this investigation,” said Peggy A. Lautenschlager, a former Wisconsin attorney general and a former United States attorney in the state who served under Bill Clinton’s administration. “And likely, alleged criminal involvement.” (Yaccino. NYT) This is on yet another Walker aide who plead guilty last week in the growing WalkerGate scandal.

Scott Walker liked to pose with veterans and steal their valor in his years-long, successful quest for Wisconsin governor elected in 2010.

Then came the John Doe investigation. The probe made the case of among other crimes, Walker aides stealing from veterans after Walker stonewalled the Milwaukee District Attorney's looking into the allegations of Walker's criminal rise to power. Walker told the Wisconsin people before his June recall election that he was trying to "help" the investigation.

The Wisconsin media largely buried the story of Walker's people stealing from veterans, so not so many in central and northern Wisconsin even knew of the criminal investigation. Veterans' slamming this crime was a story also buired.

For example: "The following award is being presented to Scott Walker, Kevin Kavanaugh and Tim Russell for actions BELOW and INFERIOR AGAINST VETERANS: The Distinguished RAT BASTARD Tail for Thievery and Lack of Accountability." Joe ‘Ragman’ Tarnovsky

Walker and his gang are reportedly under investigation from a federal grand jury as well, and Walker has established a criminal defense fund.

From the AP

 One of Gov. Scott Walker's former associates was found guilty Friday of stealing more than $51,000 that had been donated to help veterans and their families.

Prosecutors alleged that Kevin Kavanaugh, of Cudahy, Wisconsin skimmed the money from bank deposits and phony withdrawals from accounts for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a veterans service organization.

Kavanaugh was treasurer of the group. Kavanaugh, 62, did not testify at his trial and said nothing following the verdict by the Milwaukee County jury, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The biggest source of money Kavanaugh was accused of tapping were donations made for Operation Freedom, an annual picnic and veterans event at the zoo that Walker hosted while he was Milwaukee County executive.

In 2006, Walker's county office arranged to have the Operation Freedom donations and expenses run through the Purple Heart chapter after being advised by county lawyers to have a separate nonprofit handle the books rather than continue to have Walker aides do so. Kavanaugh, who also worked as a counselor at the Veterans Administration Hospital, had been named by Walker to the county Veterans Service Commission.