Scott Walker - Cupid!

By Jeff Simpson

We all know that Scott Walker is desperate and has been losing ground lately.   I do not want to be accused as being perpetual naysayers, so I want to congratulate Scott Walker on something he has been amazingly successful at -  Matchmaking!




Let's start out with our distinguished Speaker of the Assembly.   He met the love of his life (or the moment) RIGHT on the assembly floor.  He met and clicked with fellow family values republican Michelle Litjens!  Litjens quit the legislature to "spend more time with her family".  Michelle misled us at the time, because we assumed she meant her husband and children, when in reality she meant spend more time with Samantha Vos's family!

Why let little things like marriages and children get in the way of true love.



 





The loving doesnt stop there....plenty more where that came from.

The next up is Governor Walker's hire for Secretary of Department of Health Services Dennis Smith.  We published his story here at CogDis in a two parter ----  Part one here and part two here. 

See a quick run down of the story is Dennis Smith used his sweet state job to bring his unqualified high school crush here to work, also in a sweet state job, reporting to him, so he could get what he has been after for years.....her.   They just ran into one problem.   Her husband. 

Her husband, Andrew Spear, found out and unfortunately freaked out.  Knowing your wife of many years is having an affair with her boss is not an easy thing to handle.    There were also some other extenuating circumstances(that are in the two part series that I will not rehash here) that led to a perfect storm.  While Mr. Spear admits that he did over react, that is big news to find out and he did not handle it the best.   He also does not have a history of abuse and took a lot of blame to shield his wife. 

Anyway, Mr. Spear originally had a bad blow up with Mrs. Spear that resulted in many false charges and
some jail time.   The problem that Mr. Spear also ran into is Dennis Smith was a weasel in a different class.   One that he was not prepared to handle.   See Dennis Smith was able to use the over reaction to his advantage and force the focus away from the affair he was having to Mr. Spear's emotional state and Mr Spear was eaten alive by it.

See Dennis Smith denied the affair, using a press release and staff paid for by the WI taxpayer, where he flat out denied any affair.  Unfortunately for Mr. Spear, Dennis Smith's own wife and children and the Wisconsin taxpayers, Dennis Smith was lying.

Not very long after CogDis broke this story,  and shortly after Smith vehemently denied the affair, Mr. Smith turned tail and ran out of town.   Smith took a job with the Washington D.C. Law firm of Mckenna, Long & Aldrich(which apparently has the same lack of qualifications in hiring lawyers as Michael, Best & Friederich, but thats another blog). 

The Judge in the case,  Judge William E. Hanrahan, confirmed what we at COGDIS had told you.  There was an affair and yet another of the Walker inner circle was lying to us! 

At a hearing on June 12, in discussing a request from Brian Brophy, the attorney for Mr. Spear, for discovery of potentially exculpatory evidence showing an affair had occurred, Hanrahan said this wasn’t necessary.

“It’s very bizarre that you would come to court asking the court to turn over information that might tend to suggest that she (Mary Spears) was actually having an extramarital affair when he (Andrew Spears) already knew it, as evidenced by the letters that were in the provider’s files sent by your client,” Hanrahan noted. “I think any objective, reasonable person, upon reading the e-mails that he furnished, would not have such a hard time believing it.”

Scott Walker has oroven, that if you will help advance his presidential ambitions,  he will gladly open up the Wisconsin taxpayer check book to you.   Smith was able to use the cover of two Wisconsin government jobs, unlimited use of WI taxpayer funded cell phones, computers, buildings and countless expenses to carry on an affair with his lifelong crush.  Mrs. Spear however, had a 20+ year solid marriage so Smith needed to to bring out the big guns to close this deal:

After Democrats took over the White House in 2008, Smith became an activist for the Heritage Foundation on health care, writing a piece urging states to drop out of Medicaid. He became a high profile hire for Walker, who brought Smith on in January 2011 as Health Services Secretary. Smith quickly became the point man for Walker in resisting Obamacare in Wisconsin, and was known nationally as a state official who could be depended on to criticize Obamacare.

But Smith meanwhile made contact with an old friend he had known since grade school, Mary Spear. While she had worked as a lawyer in years past, there is no evidence she had a job at the time Smith hired her as his chief legal counsel in January 2012.  A lawyer with the Department of Health Services told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel there was no other candidate for the job, but Smith claimed he contacted other candidates, without naming any names. Within just eight months of her hiring, their affair had gotten to the point that their revealing emails were discovered by Andrew Spear, precipitating his misdemeanor battery against his wife.

At the June 12 hearing for Andrew Spear, Brophy noted that “at some point in time Mr. Spear saw… e-mails between Ms. Spear and her father talking about going to Washington should candidate Romney have won the election.” The implication is that Smith would have returned to Washington D.C. if Mitt Romney won the 2012 presidential election, and Mary Spear would have joined him.

Of course that didn’t happen, but Smith ended up moving anyway after the Spear scandal heated up. He now serves as managing director of the DC office of McKenna Long & Aldridge. As for Mary Spear, she is divorcing Andrew and a source tells me her condo in Madison now looks un-lived in. The rumor mill has it that she now spends much of her time in our nation’s capitol.

Anyone who truly thought that the Romney/Ryan ticket had a chance of winning the White House, truly was vulnerable.  Apparently, causing tens of thousands of people to lose their healthcare is not a big enough of a thrill.   Dennis Smith preyed upon his direct report Mary Spear's vulnerability, and his position of power, to get laid, all on our dime.    Something he should be proud to explain to his wife and kids. 



Then of course everyone knows that since the Governor has been in power, Scott Fitzgerald has been seen everywhere with his main funraiser. Scott Fitz has been having so much fun that he pulled out his 80's wayfarers.

You would think that since Fitzgerald's wife is a teacher, and  we know how little they work, that he would not have time to be hanging out with random younger blondes.   I guess he is good at multi-tasking.    Getting paid $88/day  just to drive to work, sure helps also in this depressed Wisconsin economy!

 

One of these things is NOT like the other!  

Then let's not forget Randy Hopper, who moved out of his district and into the apartment of his twentysomething lover.   

Heck with all of this love in the air, even Scott Walker is feeling it. 

When you are filled with such charisma and charm .....what do you expect? 

However, probably the biggest success that Scott Walker has had,  has been with Scott Suder.   I  am not talking about Suder's debacle at United Sportsmen and subsequent 88% raise.  I am talking about what Scott Walker has done for Suder's love life.    Scott Suder has not needed Christian Schneider to write a column, calling his ex-girlfriend a slut for a while. 

  

It appears that breaking unions, destroying the middle class and taking choice away from women makes these studs, irresistible! 

Congratulations Are In Order

Randy Hopper and Valerie Cass are engaged!

I guess Randy Hopper has been too busy making wedding plans to register, as a profit off public education lobbyist , like his friends!  

Imagine the beer that will be consumed there, I would recommend New Glarus try and get that contract.  It would be huge for business! 

If they want ratings gold, I would recommend that COPS comes and films the reception!

  

 

 

Randy Hopper

Engaged to Valerie Cass

Book Em Again Dano!

Everyone's favorite republican, Randy Hopper is in jail again, and spent the night in the Fond Du lac jail!

 

 Randy Hopper, executive director of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corp and former Republican senator from Fond du Lac is in jail this morning following a report of a fight late Sunday at his ex-wife’s home.

Hopper, 46, of Fond du Lac, is being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of drunken driving, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass, said Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Lt. Rick Olig.


Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to W5192 Rienzi Drive about 10:15 p.m. Sunday for a report of two men in a physical fight, according to the sheriff’s dispatch log.

Hopper has a long history of incompetence in Wisconsin with such hits as: Campaigning on family values, dumping his wife for a young intern, quietly moving out of his district,  giving said intern a sweet state job she was immensely unqualified for, getting successfully recalled, previous drunk driving that he successfully used the "they are out to get me defense" among other things!  

What happens to a republican in modern day Wisconsin with such a dubious record?  Why promotion of course:

Hopper currently serves as executive director of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation.

Now, in a recession, the executive director of Economic Development for Sheboygan County is president of his very own jail cell!   The people of Sheboygan County might want to demand some answers.  

Dane Checolinski, Community Development Specialist
Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation
(920) 452-2479

In the meantime,  it looks like MR. Hopper needs a restraining order, some help with his alcohol, and lets really hope that he does not feel the need to conceal carry!  

26,937 people actually voted for Randy Hopper,  time for the people of the 18th district to rethink their priorities! 

Why do republicans wear orange so naturally?  

Randy Hopper The Sequel

Randy Hopper Stories never get old.

A quick recap Of Randy Hopper Randy Hopper was a spoiled rich child from the Fox Valley who bought himself a Senate seat as a solid family man. The problem was during the recalls when someone unwittingly knocked on his door, his wife(who signed the recall petition) told them that they were searching the wrong place. The "man of the house"(term used loosely) Randy Hopper was no longer living there, he was now residing in Madison with is 25 year old lobbyist girlfriend Valerie Cass! Luckily for all of us in the State of WIsconsin Randy Hopper was successfully recalled and the true public servant Jessica King was elected to replace him!!

Fast forward a few months of unemployment later and Randy Hopper and his very young mistress were partying on a Sunday! The problem was Randy Hopper decided to hop behind the wheel after having a few too many. Randy Hopper was then arrested for Drunk Driving. Hopper, did as most all republicans do when they get caught red handed(1. Claim to be the victim, and 2. Hire a trial lawyer). Unfortunately his whiny claim of victimhood, and his excellent trial lawyer was able to get him off all charges of drunken driving. Seems republicans can skip out on any laws they feel like not adhering too.

The problem for Randy Hopper though, and the great thing for the rest of us, is that the special prosecutor Frank Endejan, has decided to appeal a judge's decision to dismiss a case against the former state senator.

Special prosecutor Frank Endejan, who handled the previous cases for the county, signed the notice of appeal. Numerous attempts to contact Endejan were unsuccessful. District Attorney Dan Kaminsky said the "decision to appeal is one made by the special prosecutor who by law performs all duties of the district attorney on the case for which he is assigned." Kaminsky said he consulted with Endejan regarding the appellate issues and procedure and put him in touch with assistant attorney generals who are experienced in the appeal process. "My understanding is that the appeal is intended to address the standard a judge should use in deciding whether an officer may request a suspect submit to a blood alcohol test," Kaminsky wrote in an email.

Let's hope justice prevails this time! Here is Randy testifying during his first trial.


 Here is some advice that Mr. Hopper and his paramour had better follow in the future!

Walkergate: Only Cronies Need Apply

The news for the past couple of months have been filled with a mind-boggling amount of stories regarding Scott Walker appointing cronies to high paying state positions.  Many of these appointees were not even qualified and were appointed by Walker over people who were much more qualified.

Here's a list of a few of them just off the top of my head:

• There was Brian Deschane, the son of a wealthy lobbyist, who had no college degree, no experience but did have two drunk driving arrests.  That earned him an $81,500 job, with a 26% raise, from the Walker administration.  Walker passed over two or three more qualified applicants to reward this fortunate son.
• There was Stephen Fitzgerald, the father of the Twins of Tantrums, Scott and Jeff, who was appointed at the state's top trooper for a cool $105,700 a year.  At least the senior Fitzgerald was a police officer, but was coming off a stinging 2-1 loss for Dodge County Sheriff.  Fitzgerald's biggest qualification was probably his willingness to use his troops to go after Walker's political opponents, even the pregnant women.
• And who could forget Valerie Cass? She was the lobbyist who won her position by winning over the heart and marriage of Randy Randy "Bed" Hopper. I don't think we need to go into her qualifications.
• Included in this list is Jeff "Judas" Plale who earned his thirty pieces of silver by selling his vote to Walker and shooting down the union contracts at the end of 2010.  Since this payback appointment, Walker has moved Plale up to an even higher paying  with less responsibility job. Who wouldn't want to get paid $90,000 a year for sitting in an office going "choo-choo?"
• Don't forget Tom Nardelli.  Nardelli was an opponent of Walker's when the Milwaukee County Executive's seat was open in the recall election of 2002.  There was rumor going around that Nardelli backed out of the race on the promise of a position in Walker's administration.  Nardelli ended up being Walker's Chief of Staff and enforcer.  Nardelli, like Plale, was given a job in the Walker administration, only to be jumped up again later.  Nardelli was on his way to his fourth pension when he abruptly left his job, only days into his most recent promotion.  Nardelli claims it had nothing to do with Walkergate.  But so far, only Nardelli has expressed confidence in this reason.
• Following the same pattern, Cindy Archer was Walker's Director of Administration at Milwaukee County and held a similar job at the state.  Like Nardelli, Archer abruptly left her job, but had hinted at coming back to the state.  Unlike Nardelli, Archer already had a new job at the state before she left the new one.  Her appointment, which came directly from Walker's office, overrode the job interview of another applicant.  This poor woman ended up interviewing for a job that Walker already had given to one of his cronies.I would be remiss if I failed to also mention that Walker gave Archer $40,000 more than the person who had it previously.
• There is also John Scocos, who Walker reappointed to be the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Scocos is apparently so incompetent and corrupt that two ranking member of the Board of Veteran Affairs has resigned directly due to his appointment.  It was pointed out to me just tonight that Scocos got the appointment over two other qualified applicants who were never even interviewed for the job.

It would be naive to think that there weren't more examples of this sort of Cronyfest.  After all, Walker did get 37 positions switched from civil service jobs to political appointee positions, almost always with a higher salary than when they were civil service and you had to be qualified for the job.

Now, given Walker's propensity for dishing out state jobs to his cronies, his supporters and his campaign workers like it was candy at a parade, the gentle reader might wonder if he has a history of doing this.  The gentle reader would be exactly on target.

Three years ago, when I was still a novice blogger with privileges at folkbum's rambles and rants, I wrote about the very same thing, that being Walker's appointing unqualified campaign workers to high level positions.  The key snippet which I cited then still tells the story (emphasis mine):

Walker’s last two choices to lead the county economic development office, Bob Dennik and Tim Russell, came from his campaign and lacked depth in the development business, Clark said. Dennik left the post this week to become an executive with a Pewaukee construction company. Russell is now Walker’s community relations director.

“Walker chooses folks who don’t have (the necessary) experience,” she said. Dennik came under repeated fire from the board the last two years over disappointing land sales results that put the county budget in a jam. He didn’t return several phone calls seeking comment.

Only about $226,000 of the $7.2 million in budgeted land sales revenue for this year has materialized, contributing to a projected multimillion-dollar, year-end deficit. The land-sales budgets have been off $1 million or more in four of the last seven years, county figures show.

Yes, that is the same Tim Russell who is one of the key subjects of interest in Walkergate.

Even to this day, there are still some of Walker's cronies safely ensconced in county positions, some of them who have worked with him for the length of Walker's entire political career, which is most of his adult life.

When Walker was campaigning for thegovernor's seat, he promised to create 250,000 jobs. He appears to be bound and determined to do it too, one crony at a time.