Scott Walker Risque Past

By Jeff Simpson

Before we begin, let us start with the phrase that Scott Walker opened his campaign with.

"we’ve done positive things for the people of WI and we have an optimistic vision for the future."

Captain Positive has an optimistic vision for the future but he can not seem to stop obsessing over porn.  Luckily, for Scott Walker, the media continues to obsess over it also and continues pushing the story like there are two sides to it that are open to interpretation.

However, let's look at the actual facts of the case(Via our friend Heather):

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE "TEACHER PORN" CASE AT THE HEART OF WISCONSIN'S GUBERNATORIAL ATTACK ADS?
I've had a lot of questions about this and thought I would just make shareable what I know. Happy to answer additional questions and welcome insights from others more familiar with the case.
In 2010 a Middleton teacher was found to have received and shared racy emails at school. These are called "porn" in the ads and in the press and were totally inappropriate (as was his showing them to a female colleague), but I reviewed the files a few years ago when Tony was running for reelection and none of what I saw was what you would call hardcore porn (or what people are probably thinking of when they hear a teacher was watching porn at school). It was a lot of forwarded emails - very inappropriate, sexually explicit and sexist "jokes" and graphics (not funny, dude). The teacher was removed by the board and his union fought the decision; an arbitrator was brought in and sided with the teacher. The district objected to the decision and the case went all the way to the State Supreme Court, which in 2014 refused to take up the district's case, and he kept his job.
MEANWHILE, the district had asked DPI for guidance and was upset that legally there wasn't much DPI/Tony Evers could do. In the year that followed, Tony Evers was instrumental in changing state law so that DPI COULD revoke the license of a teacher in instances involving pornography. By 2011, the law was changed.
BUT in 2014 when the case made headlines again b/c of the Supreme Court case, Walker called on Evers to revoke the license, which of course DPI could not legally do b/c the case occurred before the law had been changed.
So this case has been used by Evers' political opponents in every race against him since 2010, and Politifact keeps calling foul on everyone who tries to use it against him.
In short: the Superintendent of Public Instruction did his job as allowed and required by law, and was succesful in changing that law to allow him to do his job better, and the Governor is grasping for straws and playing to people's emotions and disparaging views of educators with a grossly misleading ad campaign, because when you run against a squeaky-clean opponent, you try to find people near him who look muddy.

 We know now, that captain positive, is smearing Tony Evers for something that Tony had nothing to do with, and no power whatsoever to change.  Who knew that dishonesty was so positive?

As you know from reading CogDis, there is more, there is always more, and when it involves Scott Walker it is never good. 

First, we need to go back to Scott Walker's past where we check in on his right hand man and good friend Tim Russell:

Tim Russell, was behind the secret router, stole lots of money from a veterans group, and was busted with his partner in a van trying to lure a 17 year old boy in.  Russell never lost his access to Walker until he went to prison.  In return, Walker never once tweeted about Russell's illegal escapades. 

Next of course, is former @wisgop Assembly leader Wild Bill Kramer.  If you remember, Kramer was the serial sexual assaulter who every one knew was drunken trouble but no one said anything about it.   No one wanted to bring bad news to a Republican take-over of WI and it subjected countless women to not being safe at Republican drunk fests.  Senator Ron Johnson knew and did absolutely nothing to protect these women and even one of his staffers.  I have added up the number of tweets that Scott Walker sent, outraged over this predator and have come up with none.

Scott Walkers sudden bit of caring for Wisconsin children starts and ends in Middleton.  Walker is in charge of the mess at the Lincoln Hill Boys School, and he has authorized thousands of dollars in payments to guards who abused Wisconsin kids.  Scott Walker's response:

Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday he sees "no value" in visiting the Wisconsin prisons that he runs and that cost taxpayers more than $1 billion a year. 

Then there is the 2014 State of the State address, where Scott Walker brought a Wisconsin worker out to showcase someone who had turned a seasonal job into a full time welding job.

 Christopher Barber was one of several people mentioned by Walker in his remarks as examples of "people hired since I took office" and who represent "the faces of an improving economy."

Christopher Barber is also:

The Journal Sentinel reports: "Records show that he is a registered sex offender with two felonies and three drunken-driving offenses. Because of his checkered past, Barber has been in and out of jail and prison for much of the past decade, with his probation having been revoked at least twice."

Who can ever forget his love of this serial sexual assaulter either:

Now back to the Middleton case.   Scott Walker is so upset about the case, and wants to protect the children in our state so badly,  that he sent this flyer and blanketed television with a TV ad that included this:

Yes there is Mr. Positive blanketing everywhere with "Blow Job". 

So Classy.

But wait there is more.  Walker also came up with this commercial where he focuses on middle school girls breasts.


Scott Walker is not fit to be trusted with our state again. 

Vote Evers/Mandela! 

Week In Walker - American Flag Edition

By Jeff Simpson

This week in Walker, Scott tried to let us know how much he loves the flag!  As is typical of Scott Walker, what he says and what he actually does, are always two completely different things. 

The Blue Wave can not get here soon enough!   

*  The NFL implemented a new policy that said if any players kneel during the National Anthem, their respective clubs will be fined.

Scott Walker ran to his taxpayer funded cell phone to let the world know how much he "supports the troops" and despises black athletes. 

It’s about time! Glad to see the @NFL stopping the disrespect of our flag and those who have fought to defend our country. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/CVYTZLHzMd

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) May 23, 2018

The protests were never about the flag or disrespecting it, but Scott Walker has never been the brandy on the top shelf. 



Yet, the exact thing that the players were protesting, the inequality in America, was happening under Scott Walker's nose.   Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown, had a quick stop at a local Walgreen's this winter that did not go very well. 

Not much disrespects the flag more than treating fellow American citizens like this. 

Well maybe this:

But I digress. 

The disgusting display that happened to Mr. Brown, upset Scott Walker so much he took to twitter....ok no he didn't.    He did tweet this a couple days later though:

 @GovWalker The involvement of Milwaukee Police officers and Sterling Brown is an example of exactly why body cameras are so important to our legal system. They are good for both the public and law enforcement.
3:57 PM - 24 May 2018 from Wisconsin, USA 

That is what everyone took out of the Sterling Brown tapes, thank goodness for Body Cams.   Not sure that dense is a strong enough word. 

While Scott Walker could not tweet fast enough to let everyone know he was more patriotic than the NFL players, one tweet that he never sent in supporting the troops was this one.

@GovWalker  It's about time!  Glad to see the Justice System finally put Tim Russell, in jail who has spent years stealing from the veterans in WI.   The thug will not be able to do that anymore.   

Of course, Russell was Scott Walker's right hand man, and used the money to help get Scott Walker elected, which in Scott Walker's mind is the most patriotic thing anyone can do.   

Scott Walker Skips Parenting & Writes A Letter

By Jeff Simpson

With a national debate started by the NFL Players, and the President weighing in,  Scott Walker, ever the one for media attention, felt the need to weigh in. 

Scott Walker took time out of his busy schedule as head of the Republican Governors Association to write a letter to the NFLPA(because he has such a good relationship with unions) to tell them they should stop their protesting during the national anthem.   He let the African American Players know that their protests against police brutality against their community was not worth the time and they should focus on domestic violence. 

It is nice that Scott Walker is finally speaking out against La Crosse County Republican Party Leader Bill Feehan, but it is sad that a child of privilege, who has full security, and billionaires shoveling him money, feels that the African American community has no grounds to protest and it is time to move on. 

A lot has been made about National Football League (NFL) players protesting by kneeling, remaining in the locker room, or other means during the national anthem. Speaking up for what you believe in is a profoundly American idea, but disrespecting our flag, and the men and women who have fought to protect and defend our country, is not American in the slightest.

It is time for players in the NFL to stop their protests during the anthem and move on from what has become a divisive political sideshow. Instead, I encourage them to use their voices and influence to take a stand against domestic violence. With the NFL Fall League Meeting occurring tomorrow, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, now would be an especially opportune time to strongly condemn domestic violence and lead the charge in supporting safe families across America.

Where to begin? 

Speaking up for what you believe in is profoundly American.....Unless of course you speak up against him. 

But disrespecting our flag:

and the men and women who have fought to protect and defend our country

When Scott Walker was Milwaukee County executive, his office obstructed a criminal probe into thousands of dollars missing from a veterans charity, two investigators said Friday in a federal court filing.
Daniel Bice of the Journal Sentinel reported in 2012 that records showed the John Doe investigation was opened in 2010 after investigators said they had been stonewalled by Walker's county executive office. At the time, Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf wrote that Walker's office had been "unwilling or unable" to turn over records.
A former top aide to Walker, Tim Russell, was sentenced to two years in prison in January 2013 for stealing more than $21,000 from a nonprofit chosen to administer Walker's annual Operation Freedom veterans picnic at the zoo. Walker had named Russell to lead the group.
Ex-Walker appointee Kevin Kavanaugh was convicted of stealing more than $51,000 from money donated to help veterans and their families. He was sentenced to two years in prison, but served just over half that.

move on from what has become a divisive political sideshow. 

In related news, and speaking of disrespecting our flag and the men and women of our armed forces, The Donald held a press conference to let everyone know:

Trump said, “President Obama and other presidents, most of them didn’t make calls, a lot of them didn’t make calls. I like to call when it’s appropriate, when I think I’m able to do it.”

The problem being, The Donald was blatantly lying.

I am guessing that Scott Walker will let this disrespect stand unchallenged.

Luckily, San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich, decided he needed to speak up! 

“I’ve been amazed and disappointed by so much of what this president had said, and his approach to running this country, which seems to be one of just a never ending divisiveness. But his comments today about those who have lost loved ones in times of war and his lies that previous presidents Obama and Bush never contacted their families are so beyond the pale, I almost don’t have the words.”

 “This man in the Oval Office is a soulless coward who thinks that he can only become large by belittling others. This has of course been a common practice of his, but to do it in this manner—and to lie about how previous presidents responded to the deaths of soldiers—is as low as it gets. We have a pathological liar in the White House, unfit intellectually, emotionally, and psychologically to hold this office, and the whole world knows it, especially those around him every day. The people who work with this president should be ashamed, because they know better than anyone just how unfit he is, and yet they choose to do nothing about it. This is their shame most of all.”

While I agree with coach Pop, I think soulless coward extends beyond Donald Trump. 

PS:  The one issue that Scott Walker has not offered up his opinion on?  Why his son stealing a State van of course!  

You're a 23 year old desperado & you steal a van from the State of Wisconsin. Will you be caught? Will your governor father, Scott Walker, get you out of trouble? Depends on how well you play...

GRAND THEFT AUTO: THE VAN

On sale now for $25.08! Just in time for Christmas! pic.twitter.com/CMcQWUkDal

— Jud Lounsbury (@JudLounsbury) October 16, 2017

Kevin Binversie Wants You Off His Lawn

By Jeff Simpson

Well not his lawn exactly, those crazy college kids in Madison.  The annual Mifflin Street Block Party has been a tradition in Madison since 1969 and now Binversie, the far right Republican Blogger whose resume includes calling women "Bitches" and wishing for Congressman Mark Pocans death, is now calling for an end to the annual college party.

Binversie, who lives in Sheboygan and attended UW-Eau Claire, has decided he knows whats best for Madison.  Madison is known as a liberal city after all and the right wing elected officials have a long history of trying to control Dane County.

Binversie, using his wingnut welfare position as (insert title here) for the Charlie Sykes loony website Right Wisconsin, complains about college kids having fun.    

Paging Dr. Frankenstein. Your monster is out of control again.
Having never gone to UW-Madison I have no real opinion on the annual riot – I’m sorry, kegger – known as the “Mifflin Street Block Party.” There’s no affinity or hatred for the event; all I have to go on are the stories of friends who attended it while at Madison and recent headlines.

The irony of an opinion piece, that starts out with "I have no real opinion" is completely lost on Mr. Binversie, so is the fact that he has formed his non-opinion on hearsay(like we didnt know that anyway).   Anyone who has read Binversies posts know that facts, evidence and real world experience is not a major factor in his writings.

While there have been some problems at the Mifflin Street Block Party, throughout the years, the reality is it is a safer place to be than a GOP event with Republican Majority Leader Bill Kramer in attendance.  

For the record, the Mifflin Street Block Party was held this weekend and with the thousands of people there, no significant issues occurred at the party.   Turns out it is safer to attend the party now than a GOP frontrunner Donald Trump campaign event.

With only one person being arrested over the weekend at theMifflin Street Block party, it pales in comparison to the amount of people from Scott Walker's inner circle who have been arrested and convicted.

Maybe if the Republicans in Wisconsin spent more time taking care of their own house, instead of telling everyone else how they should live, we could have nice things(like schools and roads and jobs).  

How Scott Walker Caused The John Doe Investigation

As I recently wrote, Cindy Archer, a long time aide and friend to Scott Walker, had filed a frivolous lawsuit regarding the John Doe investigation into Walker and his gang of crooks.

Walker is probably really wishing that Archer never filed that lawsuit because not only did she get burned by it, but Walker is being dragged down with her.

But first a little backstory.

When Walker was Milwaukee County Executive, he started a thinly-veiled campaign stunt he called "Operation Freedom." "Operation Freedom" was supposed to be a charity fund that Walker used to honor veterans by giving them and their families a free day at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Despite it supposedly being for the veterans, Walker used the opportunity to tell people how great he was.

In 2008, a Walker aide noticed that there was money missing from the fund. Walker sent his then Chief of Staff, Tom Nardelli, to the District Attorney's office to file a complaint and ask for an investigation.

Eventually, two Walker aides, Kevin Kavanaugh and Tim Russell, were charged, tried and convicted for embezzling money from the fund. (Some of the money Russell stole from the fund went to pay for Walker's campaign websites.)

During Russell's trial, an interesting tidbit came up. The John Doe investigation was originally started when Walker started stonewalling the investigation that he originally asked for:

Milwaukee County prosecutors opened the secret John Doe criminal investigation more than two years ago after being stonewalled by Gov. Scott Walker's office when he was county executive, according to a newly released record.

The document appears to cast doubt on some of Walker's claims about his role in launching and cooperating with the investigation.

On May 5, 2010, Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf filed a petition with court officials asking if his office could initiate a secret investigation into what happened with $11,000 in donations intended for Operation Freedom, an annual event honoring veterans.

By making it a secret John Doe investigation, Landgraf wrote that prosecutors might get better cooperation from Walker's office, which had been "unwilling or unable" to turn over records and information needed in the investigation. He said he would need to subpoena county records and officials.

"It may be the County Executive's Office is reluctant to provide information to investigators due to a fear of political embarrassment," Landgraf wrote, noting that Walker was then running for governor.

Well, it might be. Or it might be they were getting awfully nervous about what the DA's office was looking for.

Which brings up to Archer's lawsuit.

In their response to Archer's lawsuit, the John Doe investigators confirmed that Walker was indeed trying to obstruct the investigation that he had asked for:

On Friday, two of the defendants, chief investigator David Budde and investigator Robert Stelter, filed a response. In it, they reaffirmed that the John Doe investigation began after one of Walker’s top staff reported funds missing from “Operation Freedom,” an annual event held by Walker’s office to thank veterans for their military service.

They said the secret probe was necessary only because Walker’s office “was uncooperative and obstructed the District Attorney’s Office’s efforts to obtain documentation of the County’s receipt and disbursement of donations from Operation Freedom.”

“As a consequence, the District Attorney’s Office was forced to petition a John Doe proceeding in order to have legal mechanisms to obtain relevant documentation from the County Executive’s Office,” they argued.

While the John Doe investigation known as Walkergate was originally started to investigation into the theft from the veterans/campaign fund, it quickly expanded as investigators found evidence of illegal politicking, illegal donations and bid rigging.

Investigators also found evidence of the illegal collaboration between Walker and dark money groups like Wisconsin Club for Growth and Americans for Prosperity.

Is it any wonder why Walker and his dark money masters went all out to kill the investigation?

Fortunatley, while they might have stopped the investigation - at least on the state level - but they cannot conceal the depth of their corruption.

Scott Walker And Josh Duggar

Scott Walker really knows how to pick his friends.  In a long string of embarrassments, Walker has done it again:

Duggar is renowned for being part of the infamous reality TV family with the show "19 and Counting."  Duggar is also a lobbyist for the anti-gay, anti-women's rights group Family Research Council.

Or I should say, was a lobbyist, since he resigned Thursday after it was found that he had molested several underage girls:

In the wake of a tabloid report alleging that he molested several underage girls while he was a teenager, reality-television star Josh Duggar said Thursday that he “acted inexcusably” and was “deeply sorry” for what he called “my wrongdoing.”

The 27-year-old Duggar, a high-profile member of the evangelical Christian family that stars on TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” also resigned his post with the conservative Family Research Council.

“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” Duggar said in a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday. “I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation.

“We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life.”

By the way, Walker has not made any comment about his friend. Then again, he never denounced his friends Tim Russell and Brian Pierick for their sexual crimes against minors either.

Warren Whacks Walker

As the gentle reader is already aware, Scott Walker is catching hell for his inane comment comparing Wisconsin workers exercising their First Amendment Rights to extremist terrorists,

Walker should catch hell for it. He also should publicly apologize for it.

One of the more cutting remarks came from Senator Elizabeth Warren, who, in one sentence, cut through all of Walker's malarkey:

Indeed, who are Walker's friends?

There are the ultra conservative billionaires and millionaires like Sheldon Adelson and the Koch Boyz (even the fake ones). Walker has his nose so far up their butts he could tell you what they had for breakfast.

Another good friend of Walker's is Michael Grebe, head of the Bradley Foundation. Grebe also served as Walker's campaign chair. One doesn't have to go farther than that to see why Walker is gutting public education and opening the state to a hostile private takeover of the state's education system. The Bradley Foundation has spent millions of dollars to push school profiteering, including the Bell Curve, a study that says that poor children - most of whom are African American - are "incapable of benefiting from an education."

Not all of Walker's friends are rich and infamous. Some are poor and infamous.

Two glaring examples are Tim Russell and Brian Pierick.

Russell is a lifelong friend of Walker's. Russell served in various positions under Walker during his time as Milwaukee County Executive, as well as working on most of Walker's campaigns.

Russell was convicted of stealing money from a veterans fund and from two political campaigns. He used that money to go on lavish vacations and to meet with then presidential hopeful Herman Cain.

Russell was just released from prison after serving a two year sentence. He actually got off pretty easy, considering how many other things they could have gotten him on, including illegal politicking and setting up a secret router in order to avoid FOIA requests.

Pierick, who is/was Russell's business and life partner, was convicted of trying to entice an underage boy during a sexting exchange. (Warning: The dialogue is very graphic.)

The ironic thing about Warren's tweet is that Walker would agree with her. Just one year ago, Walker said pretty much the same thing:

Asked how voters might judge governors who bid for the presidency, Walker replied: “Governors should be defined not just by what they do and say, but who they surround themselves with, making sure to have the smartest person for a particular task or to head a specific agency. They should be judged on that basis and who they take advice from.”

It's safe to say that Walker has failed on all accounts.

He's Baaaacccckkkkkkkkkk

By Jeff Simpson

H/T Jud @ Uppity WI:

Tim Russell is back, baby!

After two years in the slammer,* the mastermind** behind the criminal scheme to steal taxpayer dollars to fund Scott Walker's 2010 gubernatorial campaign is no longer prisoner #00597584.

Mr. Russell is very happy camper, but I recommend that you check your underage sons phone for messages, and look for suspicious vans!  

No word yet, on what role Mr. Russell will play in the Scott Walker for President Campaign.

Walkergate: Santa Doe Gives Tim Russell Another Lump Of Coal

As the gentle reader is aware, Scott Walker's lifelong friend, campaign worker and aide, Tim Russell, took the fall for his old buddy and was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing money from a ersatz veterans fund (which really was nothing more than a campaign stunt for Walker).

Sadly, Russell could have and should have been charged with so much more but Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm was unable or unwilling to get the job done.  Russell was heavily involved with the caucus-style of illegal politicking going on in the courthouse, including setting up the secret router that Walker and company used to avoid open record requests.

Like his co-conspirator, Kelly Rindfleisch, Russell decided a slap on the wrist was too much and appealed his conviction, even though he had pleaded guilty.

Predictably, it did not go as well as Russell was hoping:

A Wisconsin appeals court has upheld a theft conviction against a former aide of Gov. Scott Walker when he was Milwaukee County executive.

The 1st District Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled against Tim Russell in his appeal of his 2012 conviction.

Russell was Walker's deputy chief of staff in 2009 and 2010 and was charged with stealing more than $21,000 from a nonprofit group benefiting veterans. He pleaded guilty to one felony theft count and was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

Russell argued on appeal that he was wrongly sentenced for the crime of misconduct in office, rather than theft. He also argued that he was ordered to pay $5,000 more in restitution than was proper.

But the appeals court upheld the lower court's rulings in both instances.

Even the appeal didn't work out, Russell can take some solace that his time in the big house will be over within a month - provided he keeps his nose clean.

Then the only question is what strings Walker will pull to reward his old chum for his silence all this time.  And you know that will happen, otherwise Russell might write a kiss and tell book which would torpedo Walker's presidential aspirations.

SKW Is Scott Walker

Walkergate: Was Tim Russell Authorized To Take Vets Fund Money?

The biggest shout out humanly possible goes to Jud Lounsbury at Uppity Wisconsin who had gotten a copy of a work release form for Tim Russell that raises some serious questions.

As the gentle reader knows, Russell was arrested, charged and convicted of stealing money from a veterans' fund and two political campaigns, although it could be said that the veterans fund, named Operation Freedom, was nothing more than a political operation for Scott Walker.

In Lounsbury's article, he provides us with a copy of a Inmate Offsite Review, a form used for inmates on work release:

In the part of the form highlighted by Lounsbury, we see that Russell admitted that he took the money.  But then Russell states that he felt "he thought that he did have authorization to do the things he did."

He repeats this thought in the next sentence saying that he thought he had the authority to do the things he did.

Lounsbury accurately points out that Scott Walker was the one ultimately in charge of the veterans fund.  He is the one that ignored advice from the Ethics Board to have the money removed from county control and instead gave it directly to Russell to be put in the front group he created just for this fund.

The question is: Did Walker give Russell the authority to take the money from the fund for personal use?

Some things to consider when contemplating this question is that, as I had just mentioned, Walker was the one in control of the money.  Russell was just the handler, doing what he was told to do.  And we already know that Russell used some of that money to build and administer Walker's campaign website as well as the ScottforGov.com blogsite, which Walker was not only aware of, but to which he gave his approval.

It should also be noted that in the inmate statement, Russell said that he thought he deserved the money because he was doing extra work (like setting up and running websites?) and that he felt the money was a consulting fee.  Could it be that Russell was just trying to rationalize his crimes by saying he was owed the money?  Given the fact that Russell is a pompous ass and pretty darn arrogant, that is a distinct possibility.

The third option, and probably the closest one to the truth, lies between the above two possibilities.

It could likely be that Russell went to Walker saying he needed money to help cover the cost of the websites and "administrative expenses."  Walker, more worried about covering his political butt on issues like the mental health complex and the tragedy at O'Donnell Park, said he could access this fund for those costs.  But when Russell saw all that money and how easy it was to take it, he took more than he had told Walker he was going to, telling himself he earned it.

Then when Walker realized that his long-time, bestest friend had ripped him off, he went to the DA's office, never imagining that selling Russell out would have the potential to torpedo his entire political career.

As they say, there is no honor among thieves...

Snake Handler Star Bitten By Snake!

The Star Snake Handler, was bitten by the snake......and he is still in prison! 

Walkergate: A Tale Of Two Cronies

It was the worst of times.  It was the worst of crimes.

In January 2011, the state was still reeling from the first round of degenerate and detrimental laws passed by Scott Walker and his Teapublican legislature.  One of the most damaging laws was Act 10, from which the state still suffers and will be years - and new leadership - to even begin repairing the damage this has caused.

People were distraught and in despair about the loss of their rights and their livelihoods.

But early in the early days of that year, hope came in the form of a John Doe investigation known as Walkergate.  The investigation led to the arrest and conviction of the Walker Six - the six people that had been convicted of crimes ranging from illegal campaign contributions to illegal politicking.  People were anxiously awaiting for Walker himself to become a defendant, something which has yet to happen.

Two of Scott Walker's cronies - Tim Russell and Kevin Kavanaugh - were arrested and charged with stealing from a fund meant for veterans and their families.  (Actually, the fund was being used to promote Walker and his campaign for governor.)

Both men were eventually convicted for their crimes.

Russell, at the time of his crimes, was serving as Walker's Deputy Chief of Staff and could have been charged with much more than theft.  He was sentenced to two years in prison, two years on extended supervision and was ordered to pay $26,621.04 in restitution.

Kavanaugh was appointed by Walker to Milwaukee County's Veteran Service Commission.  He was sentenced to two years prison and two years of extended supervision and was ordered to pay $51,232.00 in restitution.

Similar crimes, similar times.

But that is where the similarity ends.

Russell's case

Russell, who was pulling all sorts of stunts during his trial, is now back at it.  Russell has filed a rather frivolous petition to have his sentence pared down and to have the restitution cut.  The premise of his petition is twofold.

Russell thinks that his prison time should be shortened because he feels that Judge Hansher was thinking he was sentencing him to Misconduct in Office instead of theft.  But on page four of his petition, he shoots this argument in the foot by pointing out how the judge took pains to clarify things:

THE COURT:  ...And this is on my own motion because it was my recollection, and I know I said it, I talked during sentencing about misconduct in public office.  And I think I made the statement, and I wrote this down, misconduct in public office speaks for itself I believe I said that.

The defendant was not charged with misconduct in public office.  I was aware of that.  I even said in the beginning he pled guilty to count one which was theft.  The court's reference to misconduct in public office was a reference to him being deputy chief of staff at the time.  It was a characterization.  I was viewing this as a fact, not as a charge, because this happened while he was in public office.

Russell also thinks he should not have to pay back $5,000 of the veteran's fund because he rented office space for a company he made up for the sole purpose of allowing Walker to continue to control the money, even though the county's Ethics Board ordered the money away from Walker's office.

In other words, Russell, who the judge said had no shame in the crime, still has not learned any remorse for what he did but is tired of eating baloney sandwiches.  But since Russell has been abandoned by his very good friend Scott Walker, his only recourse is to try this shameless manipulation of the court.

The court has ordered the state to respond by January 20, 2014 and then Russell's attorney to respond by February 4.  After that, the court will make either issue a written decision or set the matter for hearing.

Another hearing is the last thing that Walker will want as things start to heat up for the gubernatorial race.  Walker, who has never really distanced himself from Russell, doesn't want people to remember all of the corruption he is tied up in.

Kavanaugh's case

Kavanaugh's case was much tamer than Russell's.  Even though there were some delays in his proceedings due to illness and he tried to use some weak excuses to minimize and rationalize his crime, it was a more or less open and shut case.

But what is happening now is anything but normal.

Unlike Russell, Kavanaugh has filed no petitions to have his sentence changed.

He didn't need to.

Walker's Department of Corrections has done it for him.  I was alerted to this recent entry into Kavanaugh's case:

DOC is requesting the Court to authorize the inmate's release and conversion of remaining confinement time to extended supervision.

The reasons that this is rather exceptional are that it's Walker's DOC making the request and not Kavanaugh himself, that this goes against Walker's whole "Truth in Sentencing" philosophy and that it also goes against Act 38, which repeals any sort of early release from prison.

The only exception to Act 38 which might explain this would be if Kavanaugh is having an "extraordinary" health condition.  But even then, it would go against all of the tough on crime attitude that Walker prides himself on.

Another explanation for the difference in treatment is that Russell caused Walker greater embarrassment.  Russell and Walker are very close and their history together goes back decades.  Not only that, but Russell was found to have been deep into the illegal campaigning going on, including the setting up of a secret router in the executive suite of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.  It was also Russell's shenanigans during his court proceedings that revealed other shameful acts by Walker, including his stonewalling of the Walkergate investigation.

I would be remiss if I did not point out that even the apparent preferential treatment of Kavanaugh's case pales in comparison to that of Kelly Rindfleisch, who is still free pending on an appeal of her conviction.  Then again, Rindfleisch also appears to be sole person of the Walker Six who is also receiving his aid in funding her legal defense.

Apparently in Walker's eyes, all cronies are created equal.  It's just that some are more equal than others.

Walkergate: Timmy Tries To Climb Out Of The Well

I am quite sure that the gentle reader remembers Tim Russell.

Russell is the Republican operative who served at the beck and call of Scott Walker.  He's had a decades long relationship with Walker.  Russell served in many positions under Walker at both Milwaukee County and with Walker's campaign.  Sometimes he even did both jobs at the same time!

During the original Walkergate investigations and trials, Russell was convicted of stealing money from a veterans fund so that he could go on luxurious vacations with his partner, Brian Pierick.

It was also learned that Russell was a key figure in the illegal campaigning, directing others, like Darlene Wink, to do illegal politicking while working for the taxpayer.  Russell was the person who set up the infamous second router in the county executive's suite.

At his hearing, Judge Hansher found that Russell "didn't even have any shame" for the crimes he committed.  Hansher then sentenced Russell to two years of jail and two years of extended supervision, which was more than the DA had asked for.

Well, it appears that Russell is getting tired of baloney sammiches and has filed an appeal for resentencing and to have the amount of restitution decreased.  Even a year later, apparently Russell feels that stealing money from veterans and stealing democracy from all of us isn't really all that bad.

The funny thing that should make us smile is that the timing couldn't be better.

Scott Walker's world is crumbling around him.  He's obviously not going to meet his campaign's cornerstone promise of creating 250,000  jobs.  His false promises of tax relief are being exposed for the lies that they are.  There is a second John Doe investigation going on regarding all the dark money that has been flowing into the state and onto which Walker has grown so dependent.  He is becoming not just a national laughingstock, but has received ridicule from around the globe for his Grinchian email.

And now, thanks to his very special friend, Tim Russell, the whole specter of the original Walkergate will be raising its head while he flails around to just stay in office as governor, much less running for president.

Even though the wind chills are below zero today, that kind of gives me a warm feeling.

Governor Walker is Special

By Jeff Simpson

 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

I remember hearing the story of how infrastructure in Milwaukee fell on a 15 year old boy and killed him in front of his family.   I remember thinking what I always think when I hear stories of children dieing(especially as a father) of how horrible that would be and how I can not even imagine having to bury one of my children.    Which, I would assume, is the first thought of most people.  With some notable exceptions! 


Scott Walker and his campaign team! 

Their first thought was - what can we do to minimize the damage to our campaign and political future.  

Walker's top aide and great friend Tim Russell was extremely worried as to Scott Walker's location when the tragedy happened:

 [Former Walker aide Tim] Russell asked the email chain where Walker was following the incident, warning “Scott cannot be at a fundraiser or something like that. He’ll be eaten alive.”

 Fortunately, the Walker campaigned dodged a bullet and Scott Walker was surprisingly NOT at a fundraiser and was able to go start doing campaign damage control within the hour:

Walker's cellphone battery had died; within an hour, Gilkes assured Russell and others that Walker had arrived at the accident scene.

"He needs to lead and be on top of the entire situation," Gilkes reported. "ALL of us need to back him up and ensure he is on top of the entire situation — Scott needs to be front and center for the media.

At least Scott Walker was alive unlike Jared Kellner who was the victim of Walker's lack of interest in actually governing.   

 Yesterday a 30 foot wide concrete wall fell from the County parking garage near Summerfest, fatally injuring a 15 year old boy and injuring two others. This was a case where a death could have been avoided had Walker paid more attention to governing, and less attention to politicking.

The parking garage under O’Donnell park has had structural problems for years — almost since the day it was built. Past County Executives have dedicated sufficient funds to maintain the structure and assure safety for the public. Sadly, O’Donnell Park was named after former County Executive Bill O’Donnell who did pay attention to County infrastructure and yes, he did raise taxes to pay for County needs and ensure public safety. It has always struck me as being an unfitting memorial to name an ailing parking garage after a former giant in County politics.

Walker has chosen to neglect the garage infrastructure to save money so he can position himself as champion of the taxpayer for his run for Governor. Of course Walker had to use this tragedy as an opportunity to grab a little media attention for himself. In an interview near the O’Donnell parking garage Walker said, “For me, personally, obviously it rips my heart out”… For a man who has built his career on doing as little as possible to keep government providing services and infrastructure, his claim that it “rips my heart out” rings hollow. With chunks of concrete falling from other County buildings and with neglected maintenance needs, this tragedy was entirely predictable.

Tonight there are two parents who have lost a son because Walker has decided that politics is more important than safety.

Scott Walker made this a campaign issue before the body was cold, as he had his campaign staff take over the PR, so much so that the actual Milwaukee County Chief of Staff, that was paid by the taxpayers, to actually handle situations like this, had to re-introduce himself to the campaign staff(in a series of private email conversations). 

Earlier this year, Walker's spokesman emphasized that most of the contact between Walker's top campaign and county aides dealt with "routine" matters.
In the new emails, Gilkes is often directing Walker's county staff on what to do.
Tom Nardelli, Walker's county chief of staff, became so frustrated that he wrote to Walker and his top county aides on July 8, 2010, and felt compelled to remind them that he was still chief of staff.
“Just in case anyone cares what I think as COS, let me assure you all that Open Records Requests will be handled as they have always been handled: Timely, courteously and with the detail Corporation Counsel requires both upon receipt and upon release.”
“Any questions?” Nardelli wrote. "Direct them to me in this office only!”
He signed the email: "Tom Nardelli, Chief of Staff (remember?)."

To late Keith Gilkes was running the show and readers of our blog know who Keith Gilkes is.   Gilkes is the person who runs from the press and his one claim to fame, is that he ORDERED everyone on Walkers staff to delete anything that might make Scott Walker look bad in the wake of the death of a 15 year old child.  

See these "special people" never ever asknowledged that a 15 year child died,  They did not acknowledge that a human being was dead, crushed in front of his parents, and he did not have to be.  It was Scott Walker that they wanted to make sure went unscathed, everyone else is collateral damage.  What is the life of a 15 year old when we are talking an ascendency to the Presidency here.    

Walker when asked softballs about the revelations that we actually have on paper says :

 "In the midst of the campaign, I didn't want that very tragic situation to evolve into a political issue," Walker said.

That would be like an alcoholic drinking because he does not want to be tempted to drink.  His campaign staff was leaping into action before the family could even be notified so that excuse is weak.   We can however take Walker's word that his campaign staff does not run the state the way they ran the county.

  In his press briefing, Walker said he does not let his current campaign team call the shots for his gubernatorial staff on state issues.

 I mean if Scott Walker says it, it has to be true...right?

Another interesting tidbit that came out of these emails, is that they knew that they had an ace in the hole.  they knew that Journal Sentinel reporter Jesse Garza, would  help Scott Walker get "good ink".  

In another email, Russell wrote Journal Sentinel reporter Jesse Garza had gotten a message to him that he was willing to help Walker get “good ink” if the county exec wanted to speak with the reporter.

It takes a very special person to hear about the tragic death of a 15 year old, and your first thought is "how will this effect my campaign".   

Scott Walker and his staff are very special. 

His father must be so ashamed.   

Read all of the emails here!

Abele Photo Prompts Walkergate Memory

On Wednesday, Summerfest opened up on Milwaukee County's lakefront.  As is the norm, the local politicians wend their way down there for their photo ops on opening day.

So it was not surprising to see photos of Mayor Tom Barrett or County Emperor Abele down there, but this photo was a bit surprising:

What was also mildly surprising was the caption:

Great to be at the opening of #Summerfest with my friend, Mayor Tom Barrett, and the best Corporation Counsel Milwaukee County has ever had, Kimberly Walker.

First, one has to move past asking why in the world the county emperor would need corp counsel at Summerfest, unless he was planning on a legal issue to suddenly arise.

As noted, the over the top comment isn't too surprising.  Abele has kept Walker on as corp counsel even though she solicited the commission of a crime - namely offering her services to try to circumvent open record requests - as Cory Liebmann pointed to a few months ago.  And even if her email doesn't constitute a crime in itself, it most definitely is in violation of the state statutes of the responsibilities of a lawyer.

Since Abele did not want to do his job regarding Walker, it fell upon the Milwaukee County Board to terminate her.

Responding as he usually does when he doesn't get his way, Abele decided to throw another major temper tantrum.  Among other things, Abele is keeping Walker on the payroll - even though she had been fired - until the veto and override process as been completed.

It is insulting and outrageous that he is clinging onto her job despite her incompetence and her corruption, but he was more than willing to fire a dead man for having been sick with cancer.

But this whole farce of Abele's, along with that photo, did remind me of another photo that was commonly seen here during the Walkergate investigation:

For those who are new here or might have forgotten, Tim Russell worked on all of Scott Walker's campaigns for county executive and his two runs at being governor.
In between campaigns, Russell would serve in Walker's cabinet, in several different positions.  One such position was the economic development director.
When the Board denied Russell's confirmation, Walker refused to fire him and moved him to another cabinet level position.

That continued until Russell was arrested and convicted of stealing money from a veterans fund and was eventually sentenced to prison.

But up until the time of the arrest, Walker would often sing the praises of Russell, just as Abele is doing for Kimberly Walker.  This only adds to the growing list of occasions where Abele seems to be following right in Scott Walker's footsteps.

Which makes it no great wonder that this image is quickly becoming more and more popular with many progressives in the Milwaukee area: