REGARDING SCHMITZ: Artist rendering of what we believe Francis Schmitz, special prosecutor in a secret probe targeting conservatives, looks like.
Posted on 12/03/2015 1:47:53 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
Part 297 of 295 in the series Wisconsin's Secret War
MADISON, Wis. - The special prosecutor of the politically driven probe the state Supreme Court has twice declared dead laments the conservatives he intimidated for more than two years are legally tougher than the "violent criminals and terrorists" he investigated as a federal prosecutor.
"The miscalculation I made in this investigation was underestimating the power and influence special interest groups have in Wisconsin politics," Francis Schmitz, point man for the unconstitutional "John Doe II" probe said Wednesday in a press release. "My career in the military and as a federal prosecutor fighting violent criminals and terrorists did not fully prepare me for the tactics employed by these special interest groups."
One target of the probe had some pointed words for Schmitz.
"Man up Francis. You lost," said Deborah Jordahl, among several citizens who were subjected to predawn, paramilitary-style raids though they were never charged with any wrongdoing.
Schmitz had a very bad day Wednesday.
The state Supreme Court in a ruling reaffirmed that his secret investigation was unconstitutional from its inception and that Schmitz's role as special prosecutor was invalid from the beginning.
Schmitz in the statement (not provided by Schmitz but obtained by Wisconsin Watchdog) said he was "disappointed with the decision issued" and that if he has the resources, he intends to "pursue an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court."
That's a tall order. The state Supreme Court's ruling invalidating Schmitz as special prosecutor more than likely means that he would have no standing to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the ruling.
He still believes his cause was right, despite the fact that three courts – one twice – have told Schmitz and his allies at the nearly dead Government Accountability Board and the Democrat-led Milwaukee County District Attorney's office that they had no grounds for their abusive probe.
"I continue to believe that the investigation was justified. The voters of Wisconsin have a right to know the identity of large donors, corporate and individual, which coordinate with campaign committees," he said.
The state Supreme Court in July ruled that Schmitz was the "instigator of a 'perfect storm' of wrongs."
"It is utterly clear that the special prosecutor has employed theories of law that do not exist in order to investigate citizens who were wholly innocent of any wrongdoing," Justice Michael Gableman wrote in the majority opinion.
Liberal Justice Shirley Abrahamson and swing vote Justice N. Patrick Crooks dissented in the 4-2 opinion. Crooks died in September.
Abrahamson dissented again in Wednesda's unanimous decision by the four conservative members of the court, while left-leaning Justice Ann Walsh Bradley recused herself, citing a self-reported conflict.
The John Doe investigation, known as "John Doe II," began as a probe into conservative groups and donors who backed Gov. Scott Walker's campaign during the recall election of 2012. Investigators were seeking to prove those groups, most notably the Wisconsin Club for Growth, had coordinated with Walker's campaign.
The groups were engaged in issue advocacy, promoting political messages that do not endorse or oppose a particular candidate. Such ads are not subject to the same kind of campaign finance regulation as express advocacy, communications that do specifically support or oppose candidates. Nonetheless, the state Supreme Court majority in its July ruling said there is nothing inherently wrong with groups coordinating with campaigns, reflecting decisions in recent years from the U.S. Supreme Court.
In his statement, Schmitz claims he and his prosecutor partners were "vindicated" last year when a federal appeals court dismissed a civil rights lawsuit filed by conservative activist Eric O'Keefe and the Wisconsin Club for Growth.
What Schmitz failed to add is that the court did so because it believed the federal courts had no business intervening, that the controversy should rightfully be settled in state court. It has.
"I intend to continue to pursue what I believe is the right course for those citizens of Wisconsin who do not have the financial resources to influence elections," he said.
O'Keefe commented that, "Patriots fighting for their liberty are not easily defeated."
"If Mr. Schmitz had studied American history, he would not have ruined his reputation re-learning this lesson," the conservative said.
One target said Schmitz's lament that he had more ease prosecuting "terrorists" than citizens engaged in legal political speech is "disgusting."
"What he's saying is he never expected any of his victims to fight back," said the source, who asked not to be identified.
I am rolling on the floor laughing out loud at Francis Schmitz who considers conservatives in Wisconsin harder to fight than terrorists!
FReep mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
“I am rolling on the floor laughing out loud at Francis Schmitz who considers conservatives in Wisconsin harder to fight than terrorists!”
Just wait until conservative start prosecuting liberals for their unconstitutional behavior.
Even when rabid liberals are utterly rebuked by the courts they double-down in their venom instead of showing contrition. This man should be in prison, IMO.
for later.
As this would ever happen. I was so disappointed when W let the Clinton sins slide. W had the excuse of being just alittle busy with 9/11 -- but, still.
“W had the excuse of being just alittle busy with 9/11 — but, still’
He also had a White House that had been trashed by the Clinton’s and their staff. “W” keys removed from keyboards, pornographic pictures placed in stacks of copy paper loaded into photo copy machines, missing china and silverware.
The Clintons should have been prosecuted for vandalism
This *ssclown would have been right at home in China during the Cultural Revolution or working for the SS in Germany of the Thirties.
In contemporary America, he should be doing substantial hard time.
‘...who were subjected to predawn, paramilitary-style raids though they were never charged with any wrongdoing.’
I wonder if he figured prosecution would be unnecessary because the defendents would be dead. Was his goal to force a violent confrontation and kill them on the spot? Then you have the police who seem never to complain when they get a chance to use their toys. All in all the judicial system and police need drastic reform.
The whole think stunk like a dead skunk in the middle of Georgia Road in the summer. Any investigation that tells you that you cannot consult a lawyer or speak to anyone about it is nothing but pure Gestapo. Everyone connected with this on the investigation side should be in prison.
Indeed! And how do we know that Hillary actually returned all the stuff she stole? I’ve never seen an inventory.
I don’t know how someone can come to the WH with a couple of truckloads of belongings and leave with 24 truckloads of “personal” items. They arrived with nothing and left with a lot.
That's why he wants to appeal. An appeal will take years and any law suits against him would be on hold pending appeal
Seems to me the court holding that he had no legal position to conduct an illegal action would give the local government who employed him grounds to not defend his actions. It’s a way out from the potential to lose millions. I hope this happens and I hope it breaks him in all ways possible.
How about violation of rights under color of law? People need to be criminally prosecuted over this.
Francis Schmitz is a liberal fascist. Johnah Goldberg wrote about liberal fascist in a signal book by that name.
Liberal fascism is a clear and present danger to the USA.
Here is the history of their evolution:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html
His goal was to tip the scales of justice by making his targets look like “real criminals.”
He should be in jail for gross abuse of authority.
REGARDING SCHMITZ: Artist rendering of what we believe Francis Schmitz, special prosecutor in a secret probe targeting conservatives, looks like.
No admission of wrong doing. Just whining about special interest groups. Pathetic excuse for a man.
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