Railroad CEO charged with campaign law violations

[undeterred]

A major donor to Gov. Scott Walker was charged Monday with funneling more than $60,000 in illegal campaign contributions through his railroad employees over five years.

William Gardner, president and chief executive officer of Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co., has agreed to plead guilty to two felony counts - one for exceeding the campaign contribution limits and a second for giving company and personal funds to associates so they could make political donations, mainly to Walker but to others as well. Individuals can give no more than $10,000 to gubernatorial candidates.

As part of a separate settlement, the railroad paid a civil forfeiture of $166,900 - the largest ever imposed by state election officials. Seven employees will each pay $250 forfeitures as well. Under Gardner's criminal plea deal, prosecutors ask that Gardner be sentenced to two years' probation.

"Because he was cooperative and accepted responsibility at the outset - providing much of the evidence against himself - we are not recommending jail time," said Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf, who investigates election and campaign matters.

Although Milwaukee prosecutors handled the case, the charges were filed in Washington County, where Gardner lives. Each of the two felony counts carries a maximum penalty of 3 1/2 years of combined prison and extended supervision and a $10,000 fine.

Gardner issued a statement Monday acknowledging his mistakes. In that written statement, the 63-year-old railroad executive said he didn't initially realize that what he and others were doing was improper. The criminal complaint says Gardner took several steps to conceal the scheme and that the illegal contributions came to light only when his ex-girlfriend alerted state officials.

"I made and asked others to make these contributions, and I am responsible for having the company reimburse some individuals," Gardner stated. "My actions were against the law and wrong, and I take full responsibility."

Walker said his campaign acted quickly to return the illegal donations from Gardner and cooperated with the investigation. "I've got 50,000 contributors and if there's a problem with any of them, we'll obviously take action," Walker said. "We took action swiftly in this case."

Over the years, the first-term Republican governor received more than $50,000 in illegal contributions from Gardner and his employees, according to the complaint. Another $10,000 in illegal donations went to other Republicans and Democrats, including former Gov. Jim Doyle.

more at http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119595644.html