It isn’t as if tea bagger Republican Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin hasn’t had enough attention, much of which was unwanted, I’m sure. We told you about his FBI problems in a previous post.
However, now the attention might be even more unwanted, if that is possible. Case in point; just look at this headline from Politicus USA;
Former Scott Walker Aide Accused of Embezzling From Charity For Deceased Soldiers’ Kids
Even though it is true, do you really want this headline screaming from the front pages when you are already up to your rear end in a recall fight?
Here’s a bit from the article so you can see what is going on, kind of anyway.
From Politicus USA; (emphasis mine)
As part of the John Doe probe, Tim Russell, a Scott Walker aide, was arrested for charges of embezzling money meant for families of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two others were also arrested. Russell faces two felony counts for theft and a misdemeanor, including theft from two campaigns in addition to the money he allegedly embezzled from Operation Freedom.
Walker appointee Brian Pierick, Russell’s domestic partner, is also charged with child enticement for showing his genitals to a child. Kevin Kavanaugh was arrested for theft from funds meant for the children of soldiers who died serving their country. Russell and Kavanaugh allegedly used the stolen money for personal trips and expenses.
Walker was originally handling Operation Freedom through his office as county Executive but changed to a charitable organization later, which was run by Russell.
Okaaaay, this is not a good thing to say the least.
From Wis Politics; (emphasis again mine)
According to the criminal complaint, Kavanaugh embezzled at least $42,232 from the Military Order of the Purple Heart. That include money that former state Rep. Mark Gundrum, R-New Berlin, donated to the group from his legislative salary while he was serving in Iraq that was intended to benefit wounded veterans.
Russell, who has worked on Walker’s campaigns and served in various positions in county government while Walker was county executive, coordinated the military event for Walker. He was serving as county housing director in August of 2010 when law enforcement seized his computer as part of the probe.
Russell attorney Michael Maistelman declined comment on the charges.
Also arrested and charged was Brian Pierick, 48, who lives with Russell and is his business and domestic partner. He was charged with felony counts of child enticement and one for exposing his genitals. According to the complaint, investigators found evidence to support the charges after confiscating computers in the home the two share in Sun Prairie as part of the probe into the embezzlement allegations.
This goes back quite a ways and obviously doesn’t look good.
From The Journal Sentinel;
The Journal Sentinel reported in June 2010 that the district attorney’s office was investigating the finances of Operation Freedom after Walker’s office alleged an $11,000 shortfall in a dispute with the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart had acted as fiscal agent for the program in 2006, ’07 and ’08.
Later, in 2010, the financial end of the event was transferred to an entity known as the Heritage Guard Preservation Society, Russell told the newspaper in 2010. In 2009, an American Legion Post handled those duties.
The Heritage Guard Preservation Society was incorporated for a different purpose as a nonprofit in 2004. But Russell said in 2010 that the dormant firm was shifted to Operation Freedom.
The financing setup for the event drew ethics scrutiny in 2006, when two county Ethics Board members questioned the practice of county officials asking private companies for money for public programs, saying it raised conflict-of-interest questions. Walker said then that he was trying to save taxpayer dollars and that he’d resolve ethics concerns by asking a veterans organization to solicit funds for the event.
Giles the Goat Boy sums up the gist of all this in this manner for Daily Kos; (emphasis theirs)
A Walker appointee, a Walker campaign aide, and a child molester embezzled money that was intended for disabled veterans.
To be very honest, if I were the campaign manager for Scott Walker this Daily Kos emphasis would be my biggest concern. Why? Because this is the gist of what people are going to take away from this whole thing. Poor Scott Walker, his machinations came back to bite him in his own butt and while he was naked, at that.
Although I hate the old standby description of adding a gate to every breath of scandal, I think this is now officially Walkergate.
Hmmmm. Walkergate. You know that one doesn’t sound half bad.
Yeah Scott, now its your turn to sacriface. The workers are tired of your taking of our benefits.
