Russell lawyer acknowledges releasing documents suggesting Walker administration wasn't cooperating

[L. Coyote]

Source: 6/4/2012 By Marie Rohde For WisPolitics.com

A lawyer for Tim Russell acknowledged today that he released documents that resulted in a news story saying Scott Walker's administration had stonewalled the investigation of money stolen from a fund for veterans.

Democratic spokesman Graeme Zielinski called the revelation "stunning" and said after the hearing that the release is a clear indication that Russell, a longtime aide and friend of Walker's, was now cooperating with investigators.

Walker’s campaign has strongly denied that he did anything to impede the investigation and insists his administration was unable to obtain information about the missing money ....

Read more: http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=271642

---

There goes the Emperor's underwear

[L. Coyote]

1. Rec this thread up:

BREAKING: Walker's Closest Aide Revealed in Court as Source of Damaging Leak; Flips on Governor
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002763269

[L. Coyote]

2. The Elephant in Scott Walker's Courtroom: A John Doe Investigation, a Rise to Power and a Crazy Case

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/scott-walker-tim-russell-case-9423213

"... You and your drug case will have to wait an hour or so, because an important guy is inside giving up the governor. Maybe. ..."

"... Russell was a strange mixture of Gordon Liddy and H.R. Haldeman to Walker's Nixon. ...."

here is the best part, near the end

"... Tim Russell's lawyer — and, therefore, Tim Russell — had made public damaging information about Scott Walker and undermined the whole ethical basis of the governor's response to charges that he had misused his public office for private gain. It is not unreasonable to assume that this either was a warning shot — take care of me or you're going down, too — or evidence that Russell already has rolled. ..."

[L. Coyote]

3. New evidence emerged this weekend that a parallel federal investigation is underway.

Will Scott Walker Get a Pink Slip, an Orange Jumpsuit or a Second Chance?
http://truth-out.org/news/item/9578-will-scott-walker-get-a-pink-slip-an-orange-jumpsuit-or-a-second-chance
Monday, 04 June 2012 13:10 By Mary Bottari, PRWatch | News Analysis

... wide-ranging investigation has included allegations of campaign finance malfeasance, embezzlement of veterans funds, bid-rigging, and even child enticement during the period when Walker served as Milwaukee County Executive, but was running for governor.

.... Milwaukee County prosecutors were forced to move from a regular investigation to a secret "John Doe" criminal investigation more than two years ago after being stonewalled by the County Executive's office. Court records released in the trial of one of the defendants showed that prosecutors said Walker's office had been "unwilling or unable" to turn over requested records. This new information contradicts Walker's repeated claims that he has been "fully cooperating" with the investigation since the start.

As of today, this ongoing criminal investigation has resulted in six indictments, 15 felony charges, and two convictions. At the moment, five people are awaiting trial. Below we provide a John Doe primer for the uninitiated. ..............

[Samantha]

10. This is why I think Obama has not made a personal appearance in Wisconsin

This Federal investigation would happen under his Attorney General. That would make a political appearance by Obama in Wisconsin nothing but political hay for the Republicans to throw out to the media, as well as the act of appearing itself would probably be considered "improper." Just my thoughts on the subject. The way it was handled, sending in Bill Clinton instead, circumvented these problems. And Clinton did do a wonderful job.

Sam

[wordpix]

12. good synopsis, thanks

Looks like Walker will be embroiled in this case for years, even if he's re-elected governor, gawd forbid.

[elleng]

4. This getting coverage in Wisconsin TODAY?

[L. Coyote]

5. John Doe Update: Attorney admits leaking documents ... Walker is a target

http://www.dane101.com/current/2012/06/04/john_doe_update_attorney_admits_leaking_documents_to_press_report_alleges_walker_
Emily Mills on 6/4/2012 2:12pm

"If Republicans are wondering who is leaking information about crimes that Scott Walker may have committed, they need only look into their own house. That Scott Walker's longtime and closest political aide, who is charged with stealing from veterans, is the source of information undercutting Walker's self-serving claims of cooperation shows with crystal clarity just why Wisconsin must remove Scott Walker from office tomorrow," Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate said in response to the revelation Monday.

.... over the weekend national reporter David Shuster of Take Action Media published a story claiming that Walker is officially now a target of the John Doe, citing unnamed government lawyers "familiar" with the probe. ......... it came to light that Walker's defense lawyers had been asking for a letter from the feds clearing him as a target. In response they were informed that Walker's status had recently changed to that of a target.

... a 13th person was granted immunity in the investigation ... Walker has now transferred a total of $160,000 from his campaign fund to a legal defense fund ....

[L. Coyote]

6. BREAKING: Scott Walker’s Closest Aide And Good Friend Snitches On Him

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/06/04/breaking-scott-walkers-closest-aide-and-good-friend-snitches-on-him/June 4, 2012
By Segway Jeremy Ryan


Timothy Russell, Scott Walker’s closest aide and good friend snitched on him and confirmed that Walker has been stonewalling prosecutors. As you may recall, Timothy Russell was arrested earlier this year for stealing money from “Operation Freedom,” a program for veterans and families.

This revelation indicates two things and neither look good for Scott Walker. The first, Timothy Russell is now cooperating with prosecutors. The second, Scott Walker is a target of the current John Doe investigation. If Scott Walker were to win the recall election, he would likely be indicted shortly afterward. ....

.............. Together we can beat Governor John Doe. Together we can fight this takeover of our state and country.

One day longer! One day stronger!

Jeremy Ryan
Executive Director
Defending Wisconsin PAC

[Voice for Peace]

7. I have a feeling Walker may have become too toxic for the Koch bros

and they'll abandon him to his fate.. rather than pay everybody off to keep him in office and out of jail.
Crossing fingers, lol

[L. Coyote]

8. From the Wisconsin Dems, this Press Release

http://www.wisdems.org/news/press/view/2012-06-breaking-scott-walkers-closest-aide-revealed-in-cour

June 04, 2012
BREAKING: Scott Walker's Closest Aide Revealed in Court as Source of Damaging Leak; Flips on Embattled Governor
Scott Walker's closest political aide has just been named in Milwaukee County Circuit Court Monday as the source of damaging revelations that undermine Walker's claim that he has cooperated with the John Doe criminal corruption probe into his current and former administrations.
Tim Russell, who was hired or promoted by Scott Walker even after he was fired for stealing from a state agency, was said in court Monday to have given Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Dan Bice information that showed that, contrary to Walker's claims, Walker was stonewalling investigators all along.
The shocking revelation that Scott Walker's closest aide sought to damage Walker on the eve of Tuesday's historic recall election indicated that Russell was cooperating with a prosecution against Walker himself.
"If Republicans are wondering who is leaking information about crimes that Scott Walker may have committed, they need only look into their own house. That Scott Walker's longtime and closest political aide, who is charged with stealing from veterans, is the source of information undercutting Walker's self-serving claims of cooperation shows with crystal clarity just why Wisconsin must remove Scott Walker from office tomorrow," Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate said Tuesday.
"Today's revelation removes any doubt that Scott Walker is the target of a criminal prosecution."


================
from ThinkProgress
Confidant Contradicts Walker, Claims Governor Is Not Cooperating With Corruption Investigation
By Annie-Rose Strasser on Jun 4, 2012 at 5:20 pm
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/06/04/494801/confidant-contradicts-walker-on-corruption/

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has been guarded, to say the least, about a corruption investigation going on in Wisconsin .... probe is aimed at locating government officials who engaged in a range of criminal activities while employed by Walker when he was Milwaukee County executive. ...

[L. Coyote]

9. from Bloomberg, this piece ignoring today's news

In Wisconsin, All Politics Is Presidential
By Margaret Carlson Jun 4, 2012 4:00 PM PT

.... the recall election for Republican Governor Scott Walker, scheduled for Tuesday, approaches. The outcome is supposed to tell us not only about the power of the labor movement within the Democratic Party and of the Tea Party among Republicans, but also about who will win the White House in November.

That’s a lot of meaning to invest in one election, ..........

... In Barrett’s favor is a scandal that hangs over Walker from his days as Milwaukee County executive. Several of Walker’s former aides face criminal charges for conducting campaigning and fundraising on government time. Walker’s deputy chief of staff at the time, Tim Russell, is charged with embezzling more than $20,000 from a veterans charity. Walker hasn’t been fingered, but in May he transferred $100,000 from his campaign funds to his legal defense fund. ....

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. It's amazing that Walker even stands a chance in the recall election

when you see that he's neck-deep in the shit. Anyone in Wisconsin, please make sure to vote to Throw The Bum Out. He gives bums a bad name.

[Lugnut]

13. K&R n/t