Governor Scott Walker Lawyers Up for Growing Corruption Investigation

[midnight]

Source: Weird Load Nation

It is beginning to look like Walkergate (I know… too easy and not creative at all) not only has legs as a story- it is up, walking around, and stretching out for a pleasant jog. As we reported yesterday the FBI has been conducting searches on Walker staffers and now the word from Wisconsin is that Scott "recall" Walker has obtained an attorney for himself.
Wednesday's raid is the latest carried out by federal authorities on several of Governor Scott Walker's top staffers, all state employees who recently resigned their high-paying Walker gigs. Some, like Cynthia Archer, under circumstances that at best could be described as, "political". Archer was one of Governor Walker's most trusted allies–until last month, when she abruptly resigned her $124,000-a-year job as deputy secretary of the agency that oversees state contracts. Archer had followed Walker to the governor's office last November after she was his top county staffer in Milwaukee. Walker's Milwaukee chief of staff Tom Nardelli also followed to the capitol and like Archer also quit his $90,000 new state job this summer.

In spite of the fact that the search warrant was executed on Archer's home in the state capital of Madison, the agents were out of the FBI's Milwaukee office making it appear that the federal investigation concerns Governor Walker's time as Milwaukee county executive.

"Saw about two or three more, four or five, then I saw agents getting out of the car and putting on their jackets, that's what identified it, FBI on the back of the jackets," Madison resident Dale Reichers told reporters. Reichers says he saw the law enforcement teams show up at his neighbor's house before 7 a.m. His neighbor is Cynthia Archer.



Read more: http://weirdloadreboot.com/blog/2011/09/15/governor-scott-walker-lawyers-up-for-growing-corruption-investigation/

---

This is a story that is quickly unravelling here in Wiscosnin.... Yesterday it was reported that FBI agents took a large camera out of the home of a Walker employee who is now on leave... http://host.madison.com/wsj/

[WI_DEM]

1. well, this can't be helpful to a governor facing a probable recall election next year.

[ladywnch]

9. maybe we'll get lucky and he'll be impeached before he can be recalled! n/t

[starroute]

16. If he resigns or is impeached, doesn't the lieut. governor succeed him?

A recall would force a new election which would give a Democrat a chance to win, right? But any other exit strategy would leave a Republican in place.

So don't root too hard for anything that might preempt recall.

[starroute]

18. Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefish

http://www.wisconsingazette.com/opinion/extremism-hits-new-heights-with-kleefisch.html

Sep 22, 2010

On Sept. 14, Republican primary voters chose what may be the most extreme ticket for governor and lieutenant governor in recent Wisconsin history. ... But Walker is a notoriously cynical politician who will adopt any position to further his career. His running mate Rebecca Kleefisch, however, is a bona fide right-wing religious zealot.

It should be disconcerting enough that Republicans nominated someone with zero experience in governing or an ounce of credibility in public policy. But it is even more troubling that they nominated someone so extreme. Predictably, Kleefisch singles out the LGBT community as one of the targets of her extremism. ...

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported before the primary that Kleefisch plans on using her conservative Christian principles and interpretation of the Bible when making decisions as a government official.In an interview on the notoriously anti-equality religious station WVCY, she declared that the state’s domestic partner registry is not only biblically wrong but that it leads to a slippery slope.She then goes on to ask, At what point would we allow marrying inanimate objects? Could I marry this table or this clock? How about a dog?

[truth2power]

19. Marrying inanimate objects and dogs. You'd think she'd be embarrassed

to say such stupid crap. How low we've sunk :eyes:

[Xtraneous]

21. Could the name Kleefisch be ripe for a little wordplay fun?

:evilgrin:

[hayrow]

30. From my understanding, Kleefisch is the Wisconsin translation for Santorum

[sybylla]

36. Oh, yeah.

I've been calling her Krayfish because her ideas are backwards (the way the move) and her name is harder to remember than Krayfish (pronounced "Klayfish" I'm told).

Not ingenious, but usually gets a laugh or two from people in the know.

[polmaven]

29. Well, I guess if the clock

or the dog give written consent, why not?? :shrug:

[truth2power]

35. That's the problem. Marriage is a contract, and neither clocks nor dogs

can enter into contracts. What a maroon!!

[vanbean]

64. She would be well-named as Mrs. Rebecca Bowser-Kleefish.

[jmowreader]

43. Wingers have been saying this crap for a long time

First, here's Rebecca Kleefisch:



Bartcop's been calling Rick Santorum "man-on-dog-sex" for quite some time because he's one of the more prominent people who used the "if men can marry other men, and women can marry other women, where's it all end?" meme. The "inanimate objects" thing is new to me, but in some cases I can see it--would you rather be married to the pantry door, or the man who shoved you into it because he didn't like what you made for dinner?

[greymattermom]

45. but she could marry

General Electric, for example.

[Marie Marie]

53. Lt Govenor - Don't flatter yourself.

What makes you think a table, clock or dog would have you? Get over yourself.

[emsimon33]

20. What were Wisconsin voters thinking? Or were they????

[midnight]

23. It's disturbing to here Kleefisch speak about other people rights as if they are

being reduced to inanimate objects, or animals..

[closeupready]

33. Right? Like, 'Massa in de house'.

:mad:

[lbrtbell]

59. She probably wants to marry her inflatable male sex doll

Where else would she get that idea about inanimate objects? :D

[elocs]

54. Who actually believes the Republican controlled assembly would impeach him?

Who believes the Republican controlled Senate would convict him?

From a Wisconsinite: DUers, get a clue, Walker may be recalled but he will not be impeached.

[dragonlady]

55. Perhaps one would vote to impeach

I'm thinking of Rep. Joel Kleefisch. For non-Badgers, that's Rebecca's husband.

[Thor_MN]

62. It's hard to govern from inside a jail cell

If they find a reason to jail him, he would not get recalled, but the Kleef would be step up to the big office.

[jrbateman00]

68. Recall and Impeachment

Would be unnecessary if Walker is convicted of a felony. Convicted felons cannot hold public office...in fact, I believe they even lose their right to vote.

[Swede Atlanta]

66. Not likely.......

given the GOP majorities in both the state House and state Senate. They are unlikely to eat their own.

[Oceansaway]

2. K&R...n/t

[lunatica]

3. Where there's smoke there's bound to be fire

My heart is all a twitter in anticipation!

[ooglymoogly]

13. Where there is smoke in "politics" there are bound to be repugnut and or Dino

thugs and a lot of mirrors.

[Tippy]

4. K&R...Where there is smoke ..........

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[gateley]

6. I hope those thousands of Wisconsin heroes who were

in the streets protesting will soon be there celebrating Walker's demise.

I found an interesting story on your second link about the Gov's wife wanting to spruce up the mansion. Sounds like she thinks they may be there a while.

I'm going to post it as a new thread. Very good piece -- I'll be back w/the link. :hi:\

[midnight]

25. I know, I find it disturbing to think that so much confidence in the Kathy Nicolas

election software will keep them there for a while...

[femrap]

7. Happy to see Walker in trouble....

Now we need to find something about King Ka-sick in OH.

[teddy51]

8. Wonder if the Koch brothers will finance his defence? hmmm n/t

[ChairmanAgnostic]

11. Are you serious?

Of course not. The Kochheads are the most self-serving, using, greedy people around. If your interests align with theirs, fine, they are your best friend. At the slightest hint of trouble, you become little more than the contents of one of those port-potties they use at Octoberfest.

Again and again, that proves to be the case, and still GOP little people never learn. I guess receiving advice and calls, rubbing elbows, getting the attention of billionaires is a sufficient award for peons like Walker. Once they have served their purpose, the first question posed by the Kochs is "Who?"

[coalition_unwilling]

69. Peon here. Please don't insult us peons by lumping us together

with that **LACKEY** and **SPITLICKLE** Walker :)

[glinda]

48. I hope they are pulled into this.

:popcorn:

[SoapBox]

10. How's about you just MAN up, Gov. Hosni Walker?

...what a heartless and soulless creep.

The poster child of what is BAD for America.

[krispos42]

12. Is Walker hiding behind his constitutional rights?

I thought only criminals and terrorists did that?



Are Republicans supporting him hiding behind his constitutional rights?

I thought only bleeding-heart liberals and terrorist sympathizers did that?

[Kingofalldems]

14. Popcorn ready

:popcorn:

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. Problems with state contracts?

If it's happening in Wisconsin, it just has to be happening in FL.

[LondonReign2]

17. Please please please please please

There are few sub-humans I loath more than Walker. Please let this take him down.

[joeybee12]

22. Finally! Some good news! KNR

[Yon_Yonson]

24. To bad ... so sad

:) :) :bounce: :wow: :fistbump: :applause: :popcorn: :rofl:

Hey walker you can't :hide:

Maybe it's time for Herr Walker and his BAT CRAZY Lt. Governor to do the honorable thing and commit hari kari. How about just resigning

[midnight]

26. I know. I would just love to know what county hell he created that he will be needing an attorney

for?

[katty]

27. that's right..lawyer-up a-hole-hope you go broke paying your

legal fees.

[Blue Owl]

28. Scott Focker is (~gasp~) CORRUPT?

Never saw that coming.

:sarcasm:

[TxVietVet]

38. Remember Milwaukee County Pension Investments

with Walker's buddy? They put a stop to that real fast. I knew the worthless prick was a crook and hopefully it's catching up with him.

[midnight]

49. I don't think I heard about this, but would love some more details...

[TxVietVet]

63. Money was diverted to an investment firm in Chicago. Then,

it was discovered one of Walker's former associates or politcal hack was involved. It happened about 6 months after Wanker took over the Milwaukee Supervisor's job. The whole scheme feel apart after that. It was in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It was a blatant conflict of interests and Walker acted like he didn't know about it, as usual. The lying prick is a crook and a lot of conservanazis are protecting him.

[radhika]

31. Do we know more details about the 'Corruption'?

The article mentions politicking on state time...but what precisely is that? Using (ho hum) office phones to fund-raise or (juicier) coordinating with Koch and ALEC on post-election strategies? Quid pro quo, perhaps?

Any rumors from the ground on WI would be fascinating, thanks.

[midnight]

50. A few years ago... The scandal that Kathy Nicolas escaped dealt with sounds like

they might have recycled a similar crime:A few high-level staffers were charged or fined in the scandal. Nickolaus, a computer expert who handled lists of registered voters and other tasks, was among at least 18 Republican and Democratic staffers who avoided prosecution in exchange for testifying before a secret John Doe hearing in Dane County Circuit Court.
When Jensen went to trial in 2006, Prosser — by then a Supreme Court justice — served as a character witness for Jensen, who paid a $5,000 fine in December in exchange for dismissal of the charges.
Prosser was never questioned under oath about illegal campaign work, but in a statement prepared by Jensen's lawyers, Prosser said he also used state staff and resources to run Republican campaigns during his seven years in leadership.
"The legislative branch is the political branch of government, and a legislative office is a thoroughly political office," Prosser said in the court brief. "For the most part, every activity that could be characterized as a campaign activity can be conceivably construed to be an act that furthers the legislative process."


Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_7e777016-62b2-11e0-9b74-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1Y4ZqGsAb


I'm sure before this is over all the names like Koch, Walker, Prosser, Nicholas will all be discussed in this.... I would love a Fitzgerald to come forward too.

[radhika]

57. Thanks for the backstory...interesting n/t

[Yon_Yonson]

32. Former Aide To Gov. Speaks About FBI Search ~ Archer: 'I Have Nothing To Hide'

Channel 3000.com

Former Aide To Gov. Speaks About FBI Search
Archer: 'I Have Nothing To Hide'
Updated: 2:05 pm CDT September 15, 2011

MADISON, Wis. -- In an interview with WISC-TV, a former top aide to Gov. Scott Walker said she did not do anything wrong, and is not sure why federal agents searched her home on Wednesday.

Cynthia Archer is the former deputy secretary of the Department of Administration. She confirmed that her home on Dunning Street was searched by the FBI in an investigation she said she is cooperating with.

"I have nothing to hide," Archer said. "I fully supported them and cooperated (Wednesday), and I intend to cooperate with the investigation and do anything they ask."

Archer has recently been linked to a reported John Doe investigation in Milwaukee County into county employees campaigning for Walker while at work. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported the investigation started after an employee admitted to posting political comments during the work day, and that the secret proceedings have targeted Archer as well as other top staffers under then-County Executive Walker.

http://www.channel3000.com/news/29195072/detail.html

She has nothing to hide ~ I didn't do it! I'm not a crook and where have I heard that one before.

[hue]

34. Every corrupt Koch Puppet has no sense they've done anything wrong.

They are sociopathic thus they have no sense of right or wrong. They will never admit to doing wrong!!

They best scenerio would be that Walker would have to resign thus saving us the trouble of recalling him.
yes the lieutenant gov would be in charge, but she may be implicated also. They're all in this together!!
What a complex, sticky ball of slime this is!!!

[barbtries]

37. when you say unraveling

do you mean falling apart? is he at risk for criminal charges or what???

[Mr. Sparkle]

39. The fact she resigned last month means i think they knew this was coming.

in-so, they had the last month to prepare "hide evidence" for these and future searches.

[hue]

44. Archer sold her computer to a neighbor who never touched it...

and gave it to an FBI agent! It was never turned on! I hope there is something incriminating on it!!

[Ellipsis]

40. Biskupic, began working for the Walker campaign days before the November election.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/128843048.html

Sort of a misnomer to give the impression that he's lawyering up now.

[Sportsguy]

41. Best News In A Long Time!!!

Fuck that prick. Hell is too nice of a place for him.

[cstanleytech]

42. I'm to cynical to think this will lead to an indictment

for walker let alone a conviction, after all look at how many politicians, ceos and others in power more often than not just skate away in our country and are never made to pay for crimes they may have committed.

[sulphurdunn]

46. I wonder how much money

the Koch brothers will be forced to donate to the Democratic Party for this to go away?

[Major Hogwash]

47. Whaaaa??? Wisconsin's Governor Walker is in trubble???

Bwahahaha!!!!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

51. A fish rots head first.

[midnight]

52. "Stephen Biskupic, who was the US Attorney during the Bush years who tried to push through bogus

and ultimately dismissed voter fraud cases." This will be Scott Walkers's legal help...http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/09/15/fbi-agents-raid-home-of-top-staffer-to-scott-walker/#comments


"If anybody in Madison went to a thrift sale on Dunning Street a few weeks ago and got computer equipment, please give it to the FBI.

From Chron.com “The FBI also seized the hard drive from a computer that a neighbor had bought from Archer six to eight weeks ago at a garage sale.

Next-door neighbor Dale Riechers said he had never turned on the computer because he was planning to work on it later in the fall. He told the agents about the hard drive and they asked to take it, Riechers said.”

Posted 8:05 09/14/11
I’m liking the language in here: “..what appears to be an expanding corruption investigation.” “It appears the federal investigation concerns Governor Walker’s time as Milwaukee County Executive.”http://www.bluecheddar.net/2011/09/14/breaking-at-least-four-fbi-agents-are-at-the-home-of-a-former-top-aide-to-gov-scott-walker/


There is a video explaining the FBI visit...

[MrMickeysMom]

56. Let the investigative journalism begin!

Let's get the full monty story about these Cretans....

[lbrtbell]

58. NAIL that son of a bitch!

Ever notice how Republicans hate lawyers, until they need one to defend themselves?

[midnight]

60. Walker has been contacted via a subpoena for his campaign emails.

Walker lawyered up after receiving a subpoena for his campaign emails before the November election. The Walker campaign has paid nearly 60,000 to a former U.S. attorney, though Walker denies that he has been contacted “personally”

Archer made a statement today denying that she is the John Doe investigation started into another Walker staffer. The Journal Sentinel reported, “That John Doe probe was started last year after the Journal Sentinel reported that another Walker staffer who was being paid by Milwaukee County taxpayers to help citizens with county services was instead using her work time to post anonymous comments supporting candidate Walker on websites and blogs. As part of the investigation, authorities earlier seized the work computers of two former Walker staffers and executed a search warrant of one of their homes.”



by law enforcement.http://www.politicususa.com/en/criminal-fbi-raids-gov-scott-walkers-top-aid

[midnight]

61. Investigation considered to be hitting Madison. Recall more than possible....

"Other Walker county players Bob Nenno and Steven Kreklow were fired as well and could be a part of this continuing John Doe investigation. The investigation, mostly in Milwaukee, has now expanded into Madison with Walker facing a recall in 2012. This scandal may make his recall even more than just an inevitable possibility."


Read the rest of this story at this link. It gives the break down of the last year...http://scottwalkerwatch.com/2011/09/16/the-fbi-john-doe-investigation-in-walkers-milwaukee-county-exec-past-is-widening/

[blkmusclmachine]

65. You can run, but you can't hide.

n/t

[Hubert Flottz]

67. I hope he ends up flat broke and in jail!

With the Clapp.