Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Walkergate: "I find that you don't even have any shame."

Photo by Michael Sears - AP
Courtesy of Wisconsin State Journal
As advertised, today was Tim Russell Day, the day that Russell was to be sentenced for his stealing more than $20,000 from the quasi-veterans fund, which was a thinly veiled campaign stunt called Operation Freedom.

The District Attorney's Office had recommended that Russell receive two years jail time and two years of extended supervision, what they call parole these days.

The Honorable Judge David Hansher chose to step outside the norm and not follow the DA's recommendation.   So he sentenced Russell to two years in jail - minus one day for time served - and five years of extended supervision.  From the court record, the full decision was:
Defendant Timothy D. Russell in court with attorney Parker Mathers. Bruce J Landgraf appeared for the State of Wisconsin. Sentencing proceeds. No corrections made to PSI report. Statements made by the State, defense and defendant. The Court sentenced defendant to serve a term of IMPRISONMENT in the Wisconsin State Prisons for 7 YEARS. INITIAL CONFINEMENT of 2 YEARS and EXTENDED SUPERVISION of 5 YEARS with the following conditions: -standard rules of probation; -provide DNA sample if one has not previously been provided; -Court waived DNA surcharge; -Court waived all court costs, fees, and surcharges; -defendant MUST pay victim/witness surcharge; -cooperate with the transfer of funds to Alonzo Cudworth American Legion Post 23; -cooperate with signing of all documents related to transfer of funds. Restitution is to be determined at a restitution hearing on 3-21-13 at 8:30 am. Defendant is REMANDED into the custody of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department. Credit given for 1 days time served. Court advised defendant on Extended Confinement or "bad time". Defendant is not eligible for Challenge Incarceration Program and/or Earned Release Program. Appeal rights given. Written Explanation of Determinate Sentence and Notice of Right to Seek Postconviction Relief received and filed. Copies given to defendant. -- gmb
Depending on exactly how cooperative Russell was, this might be acceptable, although I would have liked to have seen Russell banned from politics for at least the length of time he was on papers.

During the course of his case, Russell played a lot of games with the court.  He went through no less than five lawyers, causing a bit of confusion along the way.  He also tried to delay the inevitable by using a number of legal maneuvers as stalling techniques.

But what led to the longer than recommended sentence was twofold.

One, Russell refused to take real responsibility for his actions.  Instead, he continued to try to rationalize how he got into the position he was in by blaming others:
Hansher also took offense at Russell's statements in a presentence report that the ongoing secret John Doe investigation was politically motivated. Hansher called Reserve Judge Neal Nettesheim, who is overseeing the investigation, one of the most well-respected jurists in the state.
The problem with this argument is that theft is not political, and the people he stole from, including Walker, were all Republicans. Considering how loathe Republicans are at holding each other accountable, this is laughable.

The Court also found that Russell's apology wasn't sincere. In fact, Judge Hansher made it very clear what he thought of Russell's crocodile tears:
"There is absolutely no true regret, remorse or repentance," Hansher said. "I find that you don't even have any shame."
Come to think of it, those words could be used to describe any of the Walkergate subjects, including Walker himself.

13 comments:

  1. I wish all these characters were banned from working in government or politics forever. They should be shunned, but I have a feeling they will be lauded by their party. Such vile behavior- this is not what government workers should do.

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  2. I'm more interested in them getting Walker for whatever crimes he has committed against the people and at the people's expense.

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    1. It's not that I want these "smaller fish" to take the rap, I just don't think it is fair that we pay our taxes, expecting certain services in return and they are running around motivated by a completely different goal than what their job description is. It is also unfair to those government workers who are doing their jobs. Can you imagine having one of these people as your boss?

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  3. I am in total agreement with the first comment. How many bank tellers would be allowed to work in a bank if they were convicted of embezzlement? It's ludicrous that the DA's aren't requesting a ban from future political activities.

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  4. On the other hand, how many political campaigns would want to hire someone who has been convicted of embezzling money destined for widows and orphans and-- oh my God -- campaign funds? Russell's mere presence on a candidate's staff would draw unwanted attention and suspicion?

    Of course, Tim would fit right in with the lobbyists. Maybe Bob Welch, Jeff Fitzgerald or some other riff-raff will give him a job handing out checks.

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  5. While I understand the emotions behind it, I am extremely leery of removing a protected constitutional right for the lifetime of an individual, even when based on the conviction of a crime. We're already too quick to do that with two of our basic rights...lets not start doing it with the 1st Amendment as well.


    That said, I'm also pretty sure his career in the political field is done. For one think, he isn't gonna be allowed to vote while in prison and for seven years after getting out. Would a campaign really want a non-voter on their staff? I would think the opposition would have a field day with that...especially when ya add in that he is a convicted embezzler whose boyfriend was caught with child porn.

    Of course, like Gareth said, some scummy lobbyists might hire him. But wouldn't have an degenerate embezzler working for them be a good thing for us? ;)

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    1. You're right, I didn't think about it that way.(constitutional right)

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  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. Now, now, we can do better than this friends.

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  8. Anon at 416 and 518, that is inappropriate.

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