John Doe probe looms over Walker's recall election (WI)

JS Online ^ | 4-15-12 | Daniel Bice

[afraidfortherepublic]

It's the biggest question hanging over Gov. Scott Walker's recall election:

Will Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm file additional criminal charges as part of his John Doe probe before the June 5 election?

For nearly two years, Chisholm's office has been looking into various activities in Milwaukee County during Walker's time as county executive.

So far, prosecutors have brought charges against three ex-Walker aides, one appointee and a major campaign contributor. Chisholm has sent strong signals that additional charges are in the offing.

Walker - who has set up a legal defense fund to pay his two lawyers - said recently that he trusted Chisholm and his staff to decide when and whether to file additional charges.

"They'll run their course one way or the other," Walker said at a Milwaukee appearance last week. "It truly should be left up to them, and it's why we've been able to cooperate so much."

Several former prosecutors and judges suggested they would be extremely cautious if they were in Chisholm's shoes.

In short, they said they would file any additional new charges soon, or wait until after June 6. A John Doe probe is a secret investigation that allows prosecutors to compel testimony and gather evidence.

Ex-Milwaukee County Circuit Judge John Franke, who had a celebrated career prosecuting organized-crime figures, said DAs face "no-win choices" when handling a criminal case involving a politician or his aides shortly before an election.

Franke would be inclined to sit on his hands until the votes are cast.

"One approach is to put blinders on and try to do whatever would have happened without the election. Another is to attempt to separate prosecution and politics by waiting until after the election, no matter who might be helped," Franke said.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Headline here should read, "Walker is the person who CALLED for the John Doe investigation. Now he's the target."

[afraidfortherepublic]

Wisconsin John Doe investigation discussion ping

FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[Obadiah]

You don’t get it. Dan Bice works for the Democrats and will twist everything possible to give his preferred Party the edge.

[MNlurker]

For the first time since the recall effort begun I am honestly thinking the fix is in. Today the WSSC passed on ruling on the Voter ID bill allowing for fraud in the recalls. That POS Bice will be slandering Walker right before the election as a just in case option.

I expect a traffic jam of buses filled with SEIU and AFSCME members at the State Lines of MN, IA, UP and IL on their way to vote in the election and yes to lead Barret to victory. They’ve come too far and spent too much not to win this period.

I’m so mad about this right now I had to fight not to drop every obscenity I know into this post.

[no dems]

Well, you’re there. Give us your opinion. Will criminal charges be filed before the Recall Election?

[no dems]

Well, here’s the one silver lining in this cloud of a fiasco: The Unions have spents millions of dollars on this whole charade; the petetion drive, campaign costs, etc. etc. Those millions of dollara will not be available to help Obozo in 2012.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I have no idea what these numbskulls will do.

I didn’t think they’d recall the Governor.

I didn’t think they’d remain in such a state of high dudgeon more than a year after his election.

I didn’t think that the voters of this state would tolerate the entire Democrat Senate walking out on the legislature and staying gone for over a month.

I didn’t think that they’d succeed in recalling 2 of our Republican Senators who did nothing more that do their jobs.