Walkers—Rapacious, Mindless Creatures Are Back and in Trouble

Scott Walker might just be looking to establish another criminal defense fund, make that cooperation fund because Dan Bice reports this morning that another Wisconsin John Doe probe has commenced.

"A former top-level assistant U.S. attorney (Francis Schmitz) has been appointed a special prosecutor in a burgeoning, secret investigation into a wide variety of state issues, including possible campaign violations during the recent recall elections, multiple sources said.

"Overseeing the case is Kenosha County Circuit Judge Barbara A. Kluka, who has been used by Milwaukee County judicial officials in past John Doe cases."

A probe to find the truth, and prosecute those who can be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt? I'll believe it when I see it.

It would be nice if Schmitz' probe could look into David Koch's money funneled into the Wisconsin recall election. After all, Koch is on record noting that "he took credit for the fact the Republicans maintained control of the legislature in the Senate" recall elections held in August 2011.

Koch said it "was the work our people did, what Americans for Prosperity did and the money spent that enabled them [the Republicans] to keep control in the [state] senate."

Americans for Prosperity to which the Koch brothers have contributed $ Millions is a 501(c)(4) organization and not a 501(c)(3), as had been reported in many media outlets.

There is no controversy that (c)(4)s may legally participate in political elections, but 501(c)(3)s are not allowed to do substantial electoral work. The MacIver Institute, for example is a 501(c)(3), and has advocated for Scott Walker during the recall elections.

Notes Bill Lueders: "Groups registered as 501(c)(3)s can do some lobbying for or against legislation (but not candidates), so long as this is 'an insubstantial part' of their overall activities, a threshold the IRS has not clearly defined. Most groups that engage in issue advocacy opt for a different tax status, 501(c)(4)."

The political world will be looking even more closely at Scott Walker now.

Wisconsin statute 968.26 on John Doe proceedings is the statutory authority for conducting John Doe probes in Wisconsin.

As noted here, the purpose of a John Doe investigation is to determine if and by whom a crime has been committed in a given court's jurisdiction, by statute.

There are a very wide range of causes why a district attorney might request a judge to convene a John Doe proceeding: Conflicts of interest, practical difficulties, and so on.

Scott Walker on motorcycle at Operation Freedom event.
Walker's personal aides stole from fund meant for veterans

And stonewalling, like in 2010 when Scott Walker's gang led investigators to conclude that Walker's bunch were unwilling or disinclined to explain why Walker's county executive office staff and campaign ripped money off from military veterans, among other crimes

Remember Operation Freedom, advertised by then Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, as "thanks (to) our Armed Forces members and veterans for their service." (July 5, 2009).

Remember Timothy Russell, former and personally appointed aide to Scott Walker?

Russell had no veterans' advocacy experience, no non-profit experience but was appointed by Walker anyway and proceeded to embezzle (among other felonies) some $20,000 from a veterans' picnic called Operation Freedom, sponsored by Walker while serving as Milwaukee County Executive.