Criminal Probe in Scott Walker's Future?

[Patrick Degan]

Almost as a sequel to the Wisconsin's Lawless State Government thread, news has broken that William Gardner, the president of the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, is currently under indictment for illegally soliciting campaign donations for the Walker campaign from employees and then reimbursing them afterward in attempt to circumvent the campaign finance laws of the state. The Walker campaign then subsequently reimbursed Gardner and seven other W&SRR employees to the tune of $43,800.

As the relevant portion of the Wisconsin state law outlines:

No person may, directly or indirectly, make any contribution other than from funds or property belonging to the contributor. No person may, directly or indirectly, furnish funds or property to another person for the purpose of making a contribution in other than the person’s own name. No person may intentionally accept or receive any contribution made in violation of this subsection.” Furthermore, the law elaborates, “The unit of prosecution under sub. (1) is every transfer of funds to another person accompanied by the false listing of any single contributor. An individual illegally furnishing funds from a corporate account may be convicted under sub.

Two counts under this law have been filed against Gardner. According to the story linked above, prosecutors may look to trade immunity for Gardner rolling on Walker and his campaign staff. And the governor can expect no immunity under the state constitution for arrest and prosecution on felony charges if it comes to that pass.

[JME2]

Oh, it would be wonderful irony if a probe was initiated.