Wisconsin Dems demand probe of Walker's conduct on fake Koch call (Complaint to be filed today)

[kpete]

Source: The Plum Line

Wisconsin Dems demand probe of Walker's conduct on fake Koch call
By Greg Sargent

Governor Scott Walker's conduct on the prank call with the David Koch imposter has largely receded from the national media spotlight, but if Wisconsin Democrats have their way, it will be the subject of an investigation by Wisconsin's enforcer of campaign finance and ethics statutes.

The Wisconsin Democratic Party is set to file a complaint today to the state Government Accountability Board that alleges Walker repeatedly violated Wisconsin statutes by appearing to request support from Koch in shoring up vulnerable Republicans and by indicating that he would use the threat of layoffs as a political tool.

I've got a copy of the complaint, to be released later today, and it's worth a read, not necessarily because of the impact it may or may not have, but because it's a reminder of how egregious Walker's conduct on the call really was.

The complaint, which reflects a sense among Dems that all bets are off in this standoff, makes an interesting argument. By any reasonable standard, it says, Walker's conduct should undermine "public trust" and fell well short of standards designed to ensure "the faith and confidence of the people of this state in their state public officials and state employees."

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/03/wisconsin_dems_demand_probe_of.html

---

The complaint focuses on several aspects of the prank call, but I think these two may be the most interesting:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/wi-dems-complaint-against-scot.html

16. Respondent states during the Call that he has the Attorney General's office "looking into" strategies to force the Democratic senators to return. This constitutes a misuse of the independently elected office of the Attorney General for primarily political motivations.

And:

19. Respondent states during the Call that he will send out 5,000-6,000 layoff notices to public sector employees in an attempt to "ratchet up" pressure on the Democratic Senators. This use of threat against, and intimidation of, public sector employees for political purposes constitutes an unfair labor practice in violation of Wis. Stat. Section 111.84.

[babylonsister]

1. Love it! Don't let what Walker said fade away. nt

[drm604]

2. K&R

Great! I don't know if this will go anywhere but it at least lays out the charges and keeps it in the news for a while.

[AlbertCat]

10. keeps it in the news for a while.

Yes!

And besides all the clearly illegal stuff... Let's keep in the minds of people HOW FUCKING STUPID WALKER WAS FOR FALLING FOR THAT PRANK CALL.

He's not smart enough to be Governor. No teabagger is. These people are delusional.

[Botany]

3. Good .... lots to look @ w/ that call

Let's see
bribery
Fake Koch: After you crush these bastards I'll fly you to California and show you a good time
Walker: Outstanding

Threats to the public
Fake Koch: Why don't you plant troublemakers in the crowd?
Walker: Well we have thought of that

Illegal Campaign contributions
Walker: Well what we are gonna need is some backing for some media ads to support the
Republican Senators who stand behind this bill.
Fake Koch: O.K.

Very Rough quotes

[Democat]

8. Can he be sued by each of the workers for wrongful termination?

If he is firing them just to put pressure on another political party, can he be sued for damages by the laid off workers?

[Botany]

13. I don't know but if the workers fired have a valid contract and their was ...

... no just cause (stealing, drinking on the job, ....) a court can order them rehired and w/
back pay too ...... just like a court ruled that Walker's firing of union security officers @ the
Milwaukee County Court House was illegal ... they were all hired back and the county had
to pay their back wages too.

[Angry Dragon]

4. Can governors be impeached??

like to see him sitting in jail

[lark]

25. According to WI law, has to be in office 1 year to be recalled

He just recently won office. However, there are 6 Repug Senators that do qualify for recall and the effort has already been started.

[Initech]

53. Impeachment =/= recall.

[malmapus]

55. Even if there is, Repugs control the House and Senate there.

Doubt they would impeach their own.

[quakerboy]

60. pretty sure that

impeachment is off the table, given that both houses are drastically Republican at this time. Therefore Recalls would have to precede impeachment in this case.

[Plucketeer]

5. EXCELLENT!

We need to KEEP the pressure on on these marionettes of the rich! :grr:

[geardaddy]

22. Excellent term!

"marionettes of the rich"

[SpiralHawk]

6. Make him eat his own foul words

[Democat]

7. Firing state works for political reasons should be a crime? At the least, there should be lawsuits.

If he is firing people to try to put political pressure on Democrats, it sounds like he'll have a lot of personal lawsuits coming his way.

[L. Coyote]

24. Depriving someone of a right under color of law is a felony!

[JDPriestly]

38. The whole point in getting rid of unions is to reestablish a

political culture of Tammany Hall. Jobs will be rewarded to those that support the people with political power. We are returning to the jungle.

Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society. It was the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City politics and helping immigrants, most notably the Irish, rise up in American politics from the 1790s to the 1960s. It controlled Democratic Party nominations and patronage in Manhattan from the mayoral victory of Fernando Wood in 1854 through the election of John P. O'Brien in 1932. Tammany Hall was permanently weakened by the election of Fiorello La Guardia on a "fusion" ticket of Republicans, reform-minded Democrats, and independents in 1934, and, despite a brief resurgence in the 1950s, it ceased to exist in the 1960s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammany_Hall

George Plunkett was made famous by writer William Riordan who described Tammany Hall as "a series of very plain talk on very practical politics delivered by Tammany philosopher from his rostrum-the New York County Courthouse bootblack stand."

The book, Plunkett of Tammany Hall was first published in 1963 and contains chapters like, "honest and dishonest graft," "the curse of civil service reform," "reciprocity in patronage," " Tammany leaders not bookworms," "dangers of the dress suit in politics," "on the uses of money in politics," " bosses preserve the nation," and "Tammany the only lasting democracy." Plunkett's formula for staying on top for seven decades of New York City rule was; " Tammany is the ocean, reform the waves, and there is a lot of unofficial patronage to ride out the storms if you know the ropes. Why don't reformers last in politics? Because they are amateurs and you must be a pro. Politicians do not have to steal to make a living because a crook is a fool and a politician can become a millionaire through 'honest graft."
. . .
For that city context Plunkett advises those concerned with local governing; " Don't go to college and stuff your head with rubbish; get out with your neighbors and relatives and round up a few votes you can call your own. Study human nature and make government warm and personal." For the way the political machine routinely operates, Plunkett states, "What reformers call 'machine' we call organization. In New York City the smallest unit is the election district committee, headed by a captain. The election districts overlap with the assembly districts headed by leaders who, in turn, constitute the county executive committee. Assembly leaders are elected in primaries and elect their own party chairmen." Author Riordan points out that the New York City Democratic organization in the l920's numbered 32,000 committee men spread over five counties. The amount of patronage in l888 (when Woodrow Wilson was publishing his famous piece) for just the city county containing Manhattan and a slice of the Bronx was 12,000 municipal jobs and a payroll of twelve million dollars. At the time this was a bigger resource distribution than the Andrew Carnegie iron and steel works.

http://www.albany.edu/~dkw42/tweed.html

What Republicans really want is the "freedom" to build a political machine that is utterly and completely corrupt.

As for the advice "Don't go to college and stuff your head with rubbish . . . " That is precisely the Republican philosophy. Look at Walker and Rove -- and Sarah Palin has a degree but?????

[quakerboy]

61. reestablish? Returning?

Look around. Pretty sure we are there, its just more polished.

[NewJeffCT]

9. I hope this is more than a sternly worded letter

but, a list of complaints & the associated law/statute/regulation violated is good.

[L. Coyote]

30. "Violation of Wis. Stat. Section 11.38 constitutes a Class I felony, ..."

Full text posted below.

[The Wielding Truth]

37. Read this and see what you think.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/wi-dems-complaint-against-scot.html

[Charleston Chew]

11. The Koch Brothers, Scott Walker and Garlic Covered Freedom Dildos

__________
'The Koch Brothers, Scott Walker and Garlic Covered Freedom Dildos'

The BEAST's Ian Murphy calls Walker, posing as archconservative moneybags David Koch, and they casually discuss crushing all public unions.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?address=385x559080&az=view_all

__________
'Who backs Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's campaign against unions?'

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has been launching an assault against organized labor. But he is not alone in his attack on the rights of people in Wisconsin. There is big money behind the governor and they won't cease their assault until they can achieve their objectives.
In fact, the fight against unions that Walker and his right-wing backers have brought to Madison is about more than unions; it's part of a larger war against the working class. The Nation
Protests erupted in states across the nation last weekend, with Wisconsin seeing it's largest in the state's history with more than 100,000 gathering at the Capitol building in Madison on Saturday. But the mainstream media barely covered the protests.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x560466
_________

[Rozlee]

12. I wish it was illegal to grovel.

Walker couldn't stop yammering to "Koch" about how he was handling the union busting. The fake Koch couldn't get a word in because Walker was so busy trying to make an impression on his corporate master. He sounded like a least favorite son trying to win the approval of a hard-to-please father. Gawd, twenty solid minutes of brown-nosing. I want my life back.

[millerm777]

14. walker never explained

Why has this story not developed in the Main stream media . Walker never explained his threat to send trouble makers into the crowd to cause violence.

[Exultant Democracy]

15. I think nuber 21 is where the real story is. Everything can be argued because he used

pretty careful language, except when he accepted the plane trip out.

[dorkulon]

19. Quotation is wrong, though -- Walker said "outstanding", not "great".

Not substantively different, but....

[Divine Discontent]

65. yep! I agree. he got him with that line. I was like, ooh good one, he bit!

:bounce: hope they can get rid of him through a recall of some sort, or that the courts deem he is breaking laws!

[Blue Owl]

16. K&R

:kick:

[Bozita]

17. Time for some offense!

[cognoscere]

20. Time for a lot of offense. Attack Walker from the front. Attack him from

the back. Attack him from above and below. Attack him from inside, outside, anyside. We need to go Republican on him without becoming Republican - pretty easy to do if we rely on truth.

[Lifelong Protester]

18. K & R

Keep this in the mind of the public...especially here in WI, governor willing to sell us out AND put our safety at risk WHILE sucking up to a billionaire capitalist elite.

[geardaddy]

21. Excellent!

Walker needs to walk.

[L. Coyote]

23. REC #60. Gov. Scott Walker needs to resign NOW! Admitting felonies on tape. What a moran!

Gov. Scott Walker needs to resign NOW! Admitting felonies on tape. What a moran!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x490151

[Kingofalldems]

26. K and R for the sneaky freepers

[JNelson6563]

27. Love it.

:toast:

[fishwax]

28. sounds promising -- I hope they keep on the offensive with this

:bounce:

[L. Coyote]

29. FULL TEXT: WI Dems' complaint against Scott Walker

WI Dems' complaint against Scott Walker

STATE OF WISCONSIN
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD


The Complaint of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin,
by Michael Tate,
Complainant,

against
Governor Scott Walker,
Respondent

VERIFIED COMPLAINT

On behalf of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, I, Michael Tate, primarily based on public records, but also on information and belief, hereby allege as follows:
1. This Complaint is brought against Scott Walker, in his official capacity as the Governor of the State of Wisconsin ("Respondent"), under chapter 19 of the Wisconsin statutes, more particularly, but not limited to, sections 19.33-19.39 and 19.45.

2. I am a citizen, resident, and elector of the State of Wisconsin. I am the Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, 110 King Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, on behalf of which I bring this complaint.

3. Respondent currently resides at the Executive Residence located at 99 Cambridge Road, Maple Bluff, Wisconsin.

4. On January 3, 2011, Respondent was sworn in as Governor of the State of Wisconsin.

5. On or around February 11, 2011 Respondent delivered a "budget repair bill" that sought to eliminate more than seven decades of labor peace in Wisconsin by stripping public employees of their rights to bargain collectively.

6. On or around February 13, 2011, less than forty-eight hours after Respondent delivered his address, a large-scale grassroots effort began to mobilize around the Capitol in what has become one of the greatest demonstrations of peaceful expression of first amendment rights in Wisconsin history.

7. On or around February 17, 2011, the fourteen Democratic members of the Senate left the state, denying the body the quorum required for a vote on Respondent's "budget repair bill."

8. On or around February 18, 2011, protestors organized and launched websites to facilitate the flow of information about rally times and locations, as well as information on how constituents could contact their legislators. On or around February 22, 2011, access to these websites in opposition of Respondent was deliberately blocked in the Capitol.

9. On or around February 21, 2011, Republican Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald shut down the state's Legislative Hotline, denying thousands of citizens an easy, convenient and effective way to access their elected officials.

10. David Koch ("Koch") is a wealthy out-of-state financer of conservative causes. Koch made contributions to Respondent's gubernatorial campaign totaling $43,000, and a $1 million contribution to the Republican Governors Association, which spent $3.4 million on television ads in support of Respondent's campaign.

11. On or around February 22, 2011, despite Wisconsin residents being unable to reach Respondent and/or their legislators to voice their concerns over the "budget repair bill," Respondent's chief of staff scheduled a telephone call ("Call") from a blogger whom was believed to be Koch.

12. During the Call, a transcript of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "A," Respondent requests that "Koch" run ads in the districts of Republican incumbents in swing districts. This request to initiate independent expenditures on Respondent's behalf constitutes illegal third-party coordination in violation of Wis. Stat. Section 11.38.

13. Violation of Wis. Stat. Section 11.38 constitutes a Class I felony, which carries a penalty of a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment not to exceed 3 years and 6 months, or both.

14. Further, Respondent received the Call and engaged in the above-described activity while in the office of the Governor in the State Capitol, a state-owned building, in violation of Wis. Stat. Section 11.36(4), which prohibits entering or remaining in any state building, office, or room for the purpose of requesting a political contribution.

15. Violations of Wis. Stat. Section 11.36(4) carry a penalty of a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment not to exceed 6 months, or both.

16. Respondent states during the Call that he has the Attorney General's office "looking into" strategies to force the Democratic senators to return. This constitutes a misuse of the independently elected office of the Attorney General for primarily political motivations.

17. Respondent states during the Call that he consulted with staff members, including Cabinet officials, to consider "planting" troublemakers to incite violence in the peaceful crowds, deciding not to only insomuch as "that would scare the public into thinking that maybe the governor has to settle to avoid all of these problems." This coordinated activity constitutes a conspiracy to recklessly endanger public safety in violation of Wis. Stat. Sections 939.31 and 947.01.

18. Violations of Wis. Stat. Sections 939.31 and 947.01 carry a penalty of a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both.

19. Respondent states during the Call that he will send out 5,000-6,000 layoff notices to public sector employees in an attempt to "ratchet up" pressure on the Democratic Senators. This use of threat against, and intimidation of, public sector employees for political purposes constitutes an unfair labor practice in violation of Wis. Stat. Section 111.84.

20. During his tenure as Milwaukee County Executive, Respondent had a history of using unfair labor practices and unlawful threats, intimidation and coercion of public sector employees in order to balance budgets under circumstances he falsely determined to be emergent. In October of 2010, the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission decided, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "B," that Milwaukee County under Respondent failed to bargain in good faith with AFSCME District Council 48. In December 2010, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "C," that Respondent overstepped his authority in citing a "budget crisis" to force through un-bargained-for wage and hour concessions from Milwaukee County workers.

21. At the conclusion of the Call, Respondent is offered a trip to California, where he would be "shown a good time." Respondent accepts by stating that it would, "be great," in violation of Wis. Stat. Section 19.45(2), which states that "No state public official may use his or her public position or office to obtain financial gain or anything of substantial value for the private benefit of himself or herself or his or her immediate family, or for an organization with which he or she is associated."

22. Complainant respectfully submits that public officials such as Respondent hold their positions as a "public trust" pursuant to Wis. Stat. Section 19.45(1). As such, the Legislature has declared that "high moral and ethical standards among state public officials and state employees are essential to the conduct of free government; that the legislature believes that a code of ethics for the guidance of state public officials and state employees will help them avoid conflicts between their personal interests and their public responsibilities, will improve standards of public service and will promote and strengthen the faith and confidence of the people of this state in their state public officials and state employees." Wis. Stat. Section 19.41.

23. Violations of Wis. Stat. Sections 19.41 and 19.45 carry a penalty per violation of a fine not to exceed $5,000, imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.

24. Therefore, regardless of whether the Board addresses this matter under the Code of Ethics, decides to issue an advisory opinion, or finds it appropriate to refer the matter to a district attorney for investigation, the Complainant respectfully submits that the facts warrant the Board's attention, regardless of any statutorily imposed time limitations.

I, Michael Tate, being first duly sworn upon oath, state that I personally read the above complaint and that the above allegations are true and correct based upon my personal knowledge and my review of public records and, as to those allegations stated on my information and belief, I believe them to be true.


Dated this ____ day of March, 2011.


Respectfully submitted,


________________________
Michael Tate, Chair
Democratic Party of Wisconsin

[Thunderstruck]

31. K & R

[grahamhgreen]

32. Obama is just the man who could order that!

[QC]

52. Don't hold your breath while you wait for that to happen. n/t

[LaPera]

33. Walker is obviously a habitual liar, this is just one of many, many lies

by Walker, he and his staff know they can't prove otherwise.....so like all republicans they just ignore the law and the facts and point their slimy fingers elsewhere and use character assassinations aimed at anyone who exposes the truth about these filthy lying republicans like Walker.

[siligut]

34. Ian Murphy did us such a huge favor when he made that call. nt

[Organic Machine]

35. Tried in court?

So, if anything comes of this would it eventually have to be tried in court?

Poking around I found this out about Wisconsin's law concerning recorded telephone conversations:

"Also a recording on the phone made from a out of state call or made to an out of state party, has to have the party informed of the recording and his consent or the tone on line, every 15 seconds, or a consent in writing before the recording is started." Source - http://www.callcorder.com/phone-recording-law-america.htm

It also says that anything garnered from a call such as this can not be used in a civil trial. I figure that if anything it would be a criminal trial.

btw - Just found this site. Been lurking a few days and finally decided to join in.

[Rhiannon12866]

39. Thanks for posting this information...

And welcome to DU, Organic Machine! It's great to have you with us! :hi:

[L. Coyote]

45. Welcome to DU. Make use of our search feature.

[Blue Owl]

36. The Democratic Party will be mortally wounded if Walker gets his way

Don't let him get away with this!

[Iliyah]

40. And Walker as a true

tea brat is trying to put blame on the 14 Dems. The corporate media is totally on Walker's side and against the American people. The only way the FACTS can reach the people, sites like these, youtube, twitter, progressive radio and television, and just plain word by mouth. The corporate media is NOT showing the protests, and if so, only for a couple of seconds and the so called journalist always have somethintg negative to say.

I heard on Thom H radio show when a caller called in about how Gov. Walker thru this horrible bill - would be taking away medicaid from the Farmers. What a asshole.

[Johnny2X2X]

41. Nice

You know we are kind of numb to this stuff, because we know it's what goes on behind closed doors, that we forget it's illegal to use the Governor's Office and the powers of the State like this.

[madrchsod]

42. the police chief of madison was also looking into some comments he made.

[livingonearth]

43. "Beautiful"

[midnight]

44. Please let them start with all the damage they did to Milwaukee Co.

[JohnnyRingo]

46. David Koch can save a lot of money on his own paper products

with Scott Walkers tongue so handy

[cognoscere]

50. I believe you have found the reason that almost every time Walker

opens his mouth, shit comes out of it.

[TxVietVet]

47. Here's a FORBES' Blog article on the failure of Walker

http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/03/04/gov-scott-walker-has-lost-the-war/

[Corruption Winz]

48. Brilliant..

I actually had heard much of this and I recently looked it up on youtube. What an incredible, silver-dollar douche bag.

[kjackson227]

49. K & R

[AsahinaKimi]

51. I hope they nail him..

Maybe he will be less then a one term Governor.

[glinda]

72. Better because each hour he is in office the more damage he does.

[nolabear]

54. Your serve, Walker...

[alp227]

56. meanwhile republicans in the legislature introduced a bill to criminalize prank calls

while evading the issue about what Walker wanted to do.

[deacon]

57. They'll be right. n/t

[Pharaoh]

58. State Democrats file ethics complaint against Walker

Source: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_9a1b6016-491c-11e0-a6b8-001cc4c0328

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has filed an ethics complaint against Gov. Scott Walker for statements made during a recorded prank phone call.

The complaint that's been filed with the Government Accountability Board claims Walker violated ethics regulations, including those prohibiting use of state offices for political purposes.

Monday's complaint says Walker's statements asking campaign contributors for support constituted "illegal third-party coordination" in violation of campaign finance regulations.

Walker made the statements during a call with a blogger posing as David Koch, a Walker campaign contributor.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_9a1b6016-491c-11e0-a6b8-001cc4c03286.html

[Imagevision]

59. walker should be recalled like Arnie had Davis recalled!

[PatrynXX]

62. one of the main things to me

is sending out fake protesters to stir the crowd to violence. I wonder if the bullets were part of this...

[AllyCat]

63. These are felonies, but then the Republicons LOVE felons.

In fact, it's a prerequisite.

[L. Coyote]

64. ABOUT TIME: = Feb. 23, 2011 = Common Cause calls for Walker probe

Common Cause calls for Walker probe
Steve Schultze of the Journal Sentinel
Feb. 23, 2011 - http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/116772144.html

Jay Heck, executive director of Wisconsin Common Cause, said Walker's remarks seeking support for Republicans from swing districts from a caller posing as an energy industry executive should be reviewed by the state Government Accountability Board.

Coordinating campaign strategy with a group that conducts independent campaign expenditures would be a law or ethics violations, Heck said.

[MadisonMike]

66. Here's the entire complaint filed...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/wi-dems-complaint-against-scot.html

The Complaint of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin,
by Michael Tate,
Complainant,

against
Governor Scott Walker,
Respondent

VERIFIED COMPLAINT

On behalf of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, I, Michael Tate, primarily based on public records, but also on information and belief, hereby allege as follows:
1. This Complaint is brought against Scott Walker, in his official capacity as the Governor of the State of Wisconsin ("Respondent"), under chapter 19 of the Wisconsin statutes, more particularly, but not limited to, sections 19.33-19.39 and 19.45.

2. I am a citizen, resident, and elector of the State of Wisconsin. I am the Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, 110 King Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, on behalf of which I bring this complaint.

3. Respondent currently resides at the Executive Residence located at 99 Cambridge Road, Maple Bluff, Wisconsin.

4. On January 3, 2011, Respondent was sworn in as Governor of the State of Wisconsin.

5. On or around February 11, 2011 Respondent delivered a "budget repair bill" that sought to eliminate more than seven decades of labor peace in Wisconsin by stripping public employees of their rights to bargain collectively.

6. On or around February 13, 2011, less than forty-eight hours after Respondent delivered his address, a large-scale grassroots effort began to mobilize around the Capitol in what has become one of the greatest demonstrations of peaceful expression of first amendment rights in Wisconsin history.

7. On or around February 17, 2011, the fourteen Democratic members of the Senate left the state, denying the body the quorum required for a vote on Respondent's "budget repair bill."

8. On or around February 18, 2011, protestors organized and launched websites to facilitate the flow of information about rally times and locations, as well as information on how constituents could contact their legislators. On or around February 22, 2011, access to these websites in opposition of Respondent was deliberately blocked in the Capitol.

9. On or around February 21, 2011, Republican Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald shut down the state's Legislative Hotline, denying thousands of citizens an easy, convenient and effective way to access their elected officials.

10. David Koch ("Koch") is a wealthy out-of-state financer of conservative causes. Koch made contributions to Respondent's gubernatorial campaign totaling $43,000, and a $1 million contribution to the Republican Governors Association, which spent $3.4 million on television ads in support of Respondent's campaign.

11. On or around February 22, 2011, despite Wisconsin residents being unable to reach Respondent and/or their legislators to voice their concerns over the "budget repair bill," Respondent's chief of staff scheduled a telephone call ("Call") from a blogger whom was believed to be Koch.

12. During the Call, a transcript of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "A," Respondent requests that "Koch" run ads in the districts of Republican incumbents in swing districts. This request to initiate independent expenditures on Respondent's behalf constitutes illegal third-party coordination in violation of Wis. Stat. Section 11.38.

13. Violation of Wis. Stat. Section 11.38 constitutes a Class I felony, which carries a penalty of a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment not to exceed 3 years and 6 months, or both.

14. Further, Respondent received the Call and engaged in the above-described activity while in the office of the Governor in the State Capitol, a state-owned building, in violation of Wis. Stat. Section 11.36(4), which prohibits entering or remaining in any state building, office, or room for the purpose of requesting a political contribution.

15. Violations of Wis. Stat. Section 11.36(4) carry a penalty of a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment not to exceed 6 months, or both.

16. Respondent states during the Call that he has the Attorney General's office "looking into" strategies to force the Democratic senators to return. This constitutes a misuse of the independently elected office of the Attorney General for primarily political motivations.

17. Respondent states during the Call that he consulted with staff members, including Cabinet officials, to consider "planting" troublemakers to incite violence in the peaceful crowds, deciding not to only insomuch as "that would scare the public into thinking that maybe the governor has to settle to avoid all of these problems." This coordinated activity constitutes a conspiracy to recklessly endanger public safety in violation of Wis. Stat. Sections 939.31 and 947.01.

18. Violations of Wis. Stat. Sections 939.31 and 947.01 carry a penalty of a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both.

19. Respondent states during the Call that he will send out 5,000-6,000 layoff notices to public sector employees in an attempt to "ratchet up" pressure on the Democratic Senators. This use of threat against, and intimidation of, public sector employees for political purposes constitutes an unfair labor practice in violation of Wis. Stat. Section 111.84.

20. During his tenure as Milwaukee County Executive, Respondent had a history of using unfair labor practices and unlawful threats, intimidation and coercion of public sector employees in order to balance budgets under circumstances he falsely determined to be emergent. In October of 2010, the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission decided, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "B," that Milwaukee County under Respondent failed to bargain in good faith with AFSCME District Council 48. In December 2010, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "C," that Respondent overstepped his authority in citing a "budget crisis" to force through un-bargained-for wage and hour concessions from Milwaukee County workers.

21. At the conclusion of the Call, Respondent is offered a trip to California, where he would be "shown a good time." Respondent accepts by stating that it would, "be great," in violation of Wis. Stat. Section 19.45(2), which states that "No state public official may use his or her public position or office to obtain financial gain or anything of substantial value for the private benefit of himself or herself or his or her immediate family, or for an organization with which he or she is associated."

22. Complainant respectfully submits that public officials such as Respondent hold their positions as a "public trust" pursuant to Wis. Stat. Section 19.45(1). As such, the Legislature has declared that "high moral and ethical standards among state public officials and state employees are essential to the conduct of free government; that the legislature believes that a code of ethics for the guidance of state public officials and state employees will help them avoid conflicts between their personal interests and their public responsibilities, will improve standards of public service and will promote and strengthen the faith and confidence of the people of this state in their state public officials and state employees." Wis. Stat. Section 19.41.

23. Violations of Wis. Stat. Sections 19.41 and 19.45 carry a penalty per violation of a fine not to exceed $5,000, imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.

24. Therefore, regardless of whether the Board addresses this matter under the Code of Ethics, decides to issue an advisory opinion, or finds it appropriate to refer the matter to a district attorney for investigation, the Complainant respectfully submits that the facts warrant the Board's attention, regardless of any statutorily imposed time limitations.

I, Michael Tate, being first duly sworn upon oath, state that I personally read the above complaint and that the above allegations are true and correct based upon my personal knowledge and my review of public records and, as to those allegations stated on my information and belief, I believe them to be true.


Dated this ____ day of March, 2011.


Respectfully submitted,


________________________
Michael Tate, Chair
Democratic Party of Wisconsin

Subscribed and sworn to before me
this _____ day of March, 2011.

_______________________________
Notary Public

My commission expires:____________

[L. Coyote]

70. Yes, posted above too. Here's the Walker = Criminal Feb-23-11 Compilation Thread:

Also linked above: Gov. Scott Walker needs to resign NOW! Admitting felonies on tape. What a moran!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x490151

[vicarofrevelwood]

67. Walker and his ilk,

need to be thrown on the ash heap of history.

[spicegal]

68. Isn't this basically bribery, as in the governor of a state

being bribed by an immensely wealthy powerful citizen. It's pretty obvious from that phone call who's calling the shots.

[L. Coyote]

71. No, it is Political Corruption in various forms, more specifically ...

A bribe is a payment given personally to a government official in exchange of his use of official powers. A bribe was accepted (a good time in California) but not yet given.

Trading in influence refers to the situation where a person is selling his/her influence over the decision process involving a third person or institution. The difference with bribery is that this is a tri-lateral relation. Walker sought to have advertisements run and paid for in support of those voting in his agenda, a felony.

Nepotism and cronyism, favoring relatives (nepotism) or personal friends (cronyism), of an official is a form of illegitimate private gain. Walker hired the father of his legislative leaders as Chief of the State Police.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_corruption

Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by private persons or corporations not directly involved with the government. An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties.

Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft, and embezzlement... A state of unrestrained political corruption is known as a kleptocracy, literally meaning "rule by thieves".

[spicegal]

69. Isn't this basically bribery, as in the governor of a state

being bribed by an immensely wealthy powerful citizen. It's pretty obvious from that phone call who's calling the shots.

[L. Coyote]

73. WI TeaCarpetBagger: Tim Phillips, The Con Man Behind the ‘Americans For Prosperity’ Koch Front

Video Links embedded.

X-Post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x585938

[No Elephants]

74. He's already explained: "I take calls all the time."

[Zorra]

75. Good move, and seems like they were thorough with their research. nt

[Jimbo S]

76. This guy reminds me of Nixon

more and more.

Planting troublemakers
Using the top law office for political gain

On edit:
This thought just came to me-
Some protesters are comparing Walker to Hitler. This turns off moderate voters.
Compare him to Nixon instead. A more honest statement.