What Senator Scott Fitzgerald Knew
The evidence shows to date state Sen. Scott Fitzgerald has not been forthcoming or honest with the media about these matters.
John Doe Investigation
Wisconsin attorney general asks US Supreme Court not to hear John Doe appeal
Before he was Attorney General, Brad Schimel said elected officials should be able to help their campaign donors, and this latest action shows he wasn’t kidding. [Wisconsin State Journal]
Attorney general asks federal court to stay out of John Doe
Scot Ross, executive director of liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now, chastised Schimel’s move, noting the political arm of [WMC]. [Racine Journal Times]
Is Wisconsin’s John Doe investigation really over now? What you need to know
One Wisconsin Now argues that under the U.S. Supreme Court case Caperton v. Massey Coal, at least a few of those judges should have recused themselves. The case found a judge must recuse when "extreme facts" create a "probability of bias." [Capital Times]
Walker Secretly Signed John Doe ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ Bill in Chicago
Scott Walker’s gubernatorial calendars for the months of August and September show he largely ignored his duties as governor as he mounted a historically inept presidential campaign.
Walker’s Latest Whopper on Criminal Investigation
There is no universe which exists where an ambitious career politician like Scott Walker wouldn’t have his high priced criminal defense lawyers find out if he was under criminal investigation.
New Document Shows Scott Walker Was Targeted in Criminal Investigation
Scot Ross, president of the progressive group One Wisconsin Now, concurred with Fischer. “Scott Walker simply cannot be trusted,” he said. “Scott Walker repeatedly told the people of Wisconsin he wasn't under criminal investigation. Today, the evidence shows Scott Walker repeatedly wasn't telling the people of Wisconsin the truth.” [Daily Beast]
Wisconsin Supreme Court quashes Walker investigation
Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal One Wisconsin Now, said that the conflict of interest among the justices was part of a system "run amok". [CNN]
Did Walker Gang Just Use $10 Million ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ Card?
Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign and outside groups accused of illegally coordinating campaign activities were let off the hook today by four justices of the Wisconsin State Supreme Court.
Wisconsin Supreme Court justice wants to reconsider case of former Walker aide
Scot Ross, director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, accused Gableman of having political motives in attempting to revive the appeal. [Associated Press]
Ethics
Scott Walker's political philosophy can be summed up in three easy steps: (1) Reward my donors, (2) Increase my power, and (3) Punish my enemies.
One Wisconsin Now Issues Walker Warning for New Hampshire
One Wisconsin Now is warning New Hampshire voters to beware this weekend when Walker visits to audition for the 2016 GOP Presidential nomination.
Candidate for State High Court Flips His Flop on ‘Supreme Injustice’ Constitutional Amendment
In comments to the media yesterday, Daley is again supporting the GOP authored power grab also backed by the conservative special interest lobby WMC.
GOP Puts ‘Supreme Injustice’ Partisan Power Grab on Legislative Fast Track
Legislative Republicans have fast-tracked resolutions to undo Wisconsin's 125 year-old system of selecting the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court.
The Best Defense Money Can Buy: Parties Involved in Criminal Investigation of Campaign Collusion Spent Millions to Help Elect Court Majority That Could Hear Cases
The Supreme Court, with Justice Bradley abstaining, voted to hear several appeals related to the criminal investigation of collusion between the Walker's campaign and outside groups.
The political pitfalls of cultural crossover: Scott Walker edition
In an undated letter unearthed by the liberal group One Wisconsin Now during the August release of documents from the first of two John Doe investigations related to the governor, Walker responded to a letter from Milwaukee attorney and chairman of the Wisconsin Center District Franklyn Gimbel… The letter is signed, “Thank you again and Molotov.” [Capital Times]
Desperate Walker Republicans Roll RoJo Out to Shriek ‘Fraud’
Johnson’s comments were part of a consistent campaign by Republicans to suppress voter turnout through public statements and disenfranchisement legislation.
The Anatomy of a Right-Wing Smear Campaign
The wallet and fingerprints of Scott Walker’s campaign co-chair, Michael Grebe, are all over this last-second desperate smear against Mary Burke.
Gov. Scott Walker’s Campaign Co-Chair’s Fingerprints on Latest Political Hit Job to Try to Maintain Power for Gov. Walker
A review of IRS records and Bradley Foundation reports reveals they have provided significant financial support for the media outlet that first reported on the smear.
Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge – the Scott Walker Gang’s Response to Open Records Request
Gov. Walker and his team's actions show that they believe Wisconsin's open records statute is a nuisance to be evaded, not a law to be followed.
Scott Walker’s Corruption Problem
New documents released show that Walker helped his longtime campaign treasurer get inside information for a bid to lease office space to the county. Ross, who describes Walker’s administration as “arguably one of the most corrupt in recent history,” is calling for those aides, Cindy Archer and Jim Villa, to resign [The Progressive]
#TBT 2006-2010: The Stunning Hypocrisy of Scott Walker
Running for office on a platform of transparency in contracting while working surreptitiously to manipulate a contract for the benefit of a political crony is at the top of the list.
One Wisconsin Now Calls for Central Figures in Attempted Milwaukee County Bid Scheme to Resign State Positions
New documents reveal how individuals participated in providing inside info to try to help a political crony of then-County Executive, and now Walker win a lucrative publicly-funded contract.
Scott Walker campaign staffer OK’d statement denying political activity by county staff
Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, called the email exchange “Exhibit A” for how Walker, a Republican up for re-election, put politics ahead of public service. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
Justices face questions as ‘John Doe’ probe lands in Supreme Court
One Wisconsin Now said the four-year-old rules are a “get-out-of-court-free card” for powerful interests that spend heavily in Supreme Court races. His group has called on the four justices to recuse themselves from any John Doe case. “There’s an $8 million weight on the scales of justice spent to elect these justices,” Ross said. [Wisconsin State Journal]
#TBT Eight Million Reasons Four WI Supreme Court Justices Must Recuse in Walker-John Doe Case
A reminder from April 14 of how four of seven Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices owe their current elected position to the millions of dollars in spending in their races by the Wisconsin Club for Growth and Wisconsin Manufactures and Commerce. Gov. Scott Walker has previously asked the appeal of the Peterson ruling go directly to […]
Court to hear arguments on secret Scott Walker investigation
Gov. Walker has refused responsibility for his actions or to be held accountable for his bad decisions. [MSNBC]
Bradley Foundation’s WILL: Counsel for Walker’s Defense
A right-wing “public interest” law firm and a legal expert who have raked in at least $1.75 million from the Bradley Foundation are entering the fray to try to help Gov. Walker out of his most recent legal jam.
Will Gov. Walker Answer the $700,000 Question?
MADISON, Wis. — Despite claims made by Gov. Walker to the media that he was an intractable supporter of reducing mining regulations, as reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today Walker as a state legislator voted for the so-called “mining moratorium” bill authored by environmental champion, former Madison Democratic State Rep. Spencer Black. “Scott Walker […]
Where There’s a WILL, There’s a Way… to Promote Gov. Walker’s Best Interests
For the years in which Federal IRS records are available for both the Bradley Foundation and WILL, 2011 and 2012, Bradley funds accounted for over 90 percent of the total money WILL reported raising.
Did Gov. Walker Raise Money to Help Elect State Supreme Court Justice?
In comments reported by the news service WisPolitics.com, Gov. Scott Walker admitted he personally solicited contributions for the Wisconsin Club for Growth (WCFG) in 2011 and 2012.
Will State Big Business Lobby Answer the Question, Is Gov. Walker Still Doing It?
MADISON, Wis. — Contained in hundreds of pages of recently unsealed John Doe investigation court documents is information about the participation of the state big business lobby, the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), in a scheme termed “criminal” by prosecutors orchestrated by Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign. Since the release of the documents, Walker has refused to […]
Scott Walker Accused of Illegal Fundraising
One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross said there is one simple question Gov. Walker must answer as his 2014 and beyond campaigns heats up: "Are you still doing it?" [MSNBC]
One Simple Question Gov. Walker Must Answer: Are You Still Doing It?
MADISON, Wis. — Court documents from the latest John Doe criminal investigation of Gov. Walker reveal he was at the center of what was described as a national “criminal scheme” to evade campaign laws. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross said there is one simple question Gov. Walker must answer as his 2014 and beyond […]
Details of judges’ decisions to halt John Doe probe
“Basically what happened was is that they got caught and they are trying to use any and all legal arguments to try and get the case thrown out so they can save their bacon. It’s very simple,” said Scot Ross. [WLUK-TV]
One Wisconsin Now Slams Gov. Walker on Capitol City Sunday
Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, isn’t buying Walker’s answer. “There’s something there,” said Ross. “All this discussion about a settlement comes after there’s been discussion about the records being made public from the investigation and I think that’s what he fears the most.” [WKOW-TV]
Gov. Walker Reportedly in Settlement Talks to End Criminal Investigation of Alleged Campaign Wrongdoing
MADISON, Wis. — Are settlement talks between Gov. Walker and state prosecutors a desperate attempt to keep documents from a second, ongoing “John Doe” criminal investigation of Walker’s campaign from ever becoming public? One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross noted that word of a deal has heated up as more documents from an earlier John […]
Desperate Attempt by Gov. Walker to Keep Documents Secret From the Public?
“Seeing what was revealed in just a fraction of the documents from the first John Doe criminal probe of Gov. Walker and his associates, it’s no wonder he’s desperate to keep more of the paper trail of his record of cronyism, corruption and incompetence away from the media and the public,” said Ross. [WMTV-TV]
One Wisconsin Now Hits Gov. Walker over Alleged John Doe Deal
“There is no question that Gov. Walker is driven by political ambition for higher office and his next election. And he is clearly, and rightly, concerned about what additional document dumps from the criminal investigations of his administration and campaign will do to his 2014 election prospects and 2016 presidential ambitions. What remains to be […] [WQOW-TV]
Legal Filings Show Walker Ousted GAB Chair After Board’s Unanimous Vote to Proceed with John Doe Investigation
MADISON, Wis. — Just released filings related to the ongoing John Doe investigation into allegations of illegal coordination between Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign and a host of conservative organizations show Gov. Walker withdrew his own 2011 appointment of then-Government Accountability Board Chair David Deininger following a unanimous vote by the board to proceed with an investigation […]
Eight Million Reasons Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Should Recuse on Walker Request to Hear Corruption Investigation
One Wisconsin Now has filed a formal letter urging four of the court's justices to recuse themselves from a legal request by the campaign of Gov. Scott Walker related to the ongoing John Doe investigation.
Liberal group asks Supreme Court to stay out of John Doe case
One Wisconsin Now sent the court a letter saying two groups involved in the investigation — Wisconsin Club for Growth and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state’s chamber of commerce — helped get the court’s four conservative-leaning justices elected. The two groups have spent a combined $7.3 million to support Annette Ziegler, David Prosser, Michael […] [Associated Press]
Liberal group asks Supreme Court to refuse to take John Doe case
A liberal group on Monday asked the state Supreme Court to refuse to take a case related to a secret investigation of fundraising and spending in Wisconsin’s recent recall elections. Scot Ross, the executive director of One Wisconsin Now, argued in a letter to the court that the four conservatives on the seven-justice court should have […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
Scott Walker campaign asks Supreme Court to intervene in ‘John Doe’ investigation
Citing numbers from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, OWN executive director Scot Ross noted the four-member conservative majority on the court had benefited from millions of dollars in outside spending by the groups targeted by the investigation. “The parties that Gov. Walker’s legal appeal would protect from investigation have spent millions to put a right-wing majority on […] [Wisconsin State Journal]
Gov. Walker and Special Interest Pals Go Venue Shopping for Friendly Court
MADISON, Wis. — Defense lawyers for Gov. Walker are reportedly appealing to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and its right-wing majority, to try to protect him from prosecutors investigating alleged illegal coordination between his campaign and right-wing groups. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross questioned whether the conservative court majority might be too friendly with Gov. […]
National Progress Now ‘March Badness’ Tourney Reaches Finale
Progress Now affiliates One Wisconsin Now and Pennsylvania’s Keystone Progress are wagering a selection of their state’s craft brews that their Governor will prevail as the worst of the worst.
Reported Central Figure in Scott Walker Administration “John Doe” Criminal Investigation Snags Newly Created State Job at $178,000 Annual Salary
MADISON, Wis. — Longtime Gov. Walker close confidant, lobbyist and former staffer, Jim Villa, has reportedly been named to a newly created state job that will pay him $178,000 a year. Gov. Walker is said to have given his personal recommendation of Villa for the job. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross commented, “Filling this […]
Former Scott Walker Deputy Chief of Staff Left Without a Seat For ‘Inner Circle’ Game of Musical Chairs
MADISON, Wis. — In an interview published in the Wall Street Journal, Gov. Walker’s former Milwaukee County Deputy Chief of Staff, Kelly Rindfleisch, alleges she has been shunned by GOP insiders and unable to find employment after her guilty plea on charges of illegal campaigning. Meanwhile, a close confidant of Gov. Walker, who Rindfliesch alleges was […]
Show Us The Money: One Wisconsin Now Demands Gov. Walker Release Details of Book Contract
MADISON, Wis. — Amidst reports that Gov. Walker was given an advance of over $340,000 for his poorly selling ghost-written book, One Wisconsin Now is calling on him to publicly release the details of the contract. “Gov. Walker looks to be getting an awfully big payday for himself when someone else wrote about his attack on […]
Bombshell New Report Casts Doubt on Gov. Walker’s Denial of Secret Email System in Governor’s Office
MADISON, Wis. — A new report raises questions about the veracity of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s denial of the existence of a secret email system in the Governor’s office. An article posted today on UrbanMilwaukee.com reports that a source with knowledge of the Governor’s staff operation in the State Capitol described a system of top state […]