Culpability
the condition of blameworthiness, criminality, censurability.
The 'John Doe' investigation swirling around Scott Walker and his executive staff just ratcheted up another notch. Just yesterday
yet another staffer agreed to a
plea-deal, saying they would openly testify against the principals,
in exchange for immunity for themselves.
That brings the total to 13 of former Walker staffers who have taken such a deal.
What's that old saying about: Smoke and Fire?
I found a particular informative summary of the John Doe case, and Scott Walker's apparent culpability in it, which I thought I'd bring to your attention.
Granted Walker has a right NOT to incriminate himself -- but it seems like his words and deeds may have already done that for him ...
From the heart of Wisconsin, here are some astute observations from an exceptional local blogger ...
Total Recall: John Doe investigation in spotlight as Wisconsin recall enters home stretch
by Christie Taylor, dane101.com on 5/31/2012
[...]
On Wednesday, newspapers reported that Walker had transferred an additional $100,000 from his campaign coffers to his legal defense fund, after an initial transfer of $60,000 earlier this year. According to Wisconsin state law, a legal defense fund may be created only by “a state government official who is being investigated for or charged with a violation of campaign finance laws or prohibited election practices” for expenditures “supporting or defending the candidate while that person is being investigated for, or charged with, or convicted of a violation of those chapters.”
Point 1) Walker is amassing legal resources to defend something or someone.
But also Wednesday, Walker denounced suggestions that he was using the money for the legal fees of former staff already charged under the investigation: the money will be used solely for himself or the campaign, the only other two options allowed under law. Walker said the money, and his attorneys, are necessary to efficiently provide thousands of documents to the DA’s office in cooperation with the investigation.
[...]
Point 2) Walker is amassing legal resources to defend either
his Campaign or himself against anticipated lawbreaking charges.
Walker has stonewalled on many questions about the investigation, including refusing to release the e-mails pertaining to Hiller and the Department on Aging bid process, claiming to answer them would violate a secrecy order about John Doe proceedings. But the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that presiding judge Neil Nettesheim of Waukesha said that would only be the case for those who had physically appeared to testify at the proceedings and received the secrecy order in person. Anyone else was free to discuss the case or even share documents that were being held as evidence. In other words, if Walker is bound by a secrecy order, then he’s also appeared before the proceedings -- far beyond the voluntary meeting with prosecutors he did tell the public about. If he hasn’t appeared before the proceedings, he isn’t bound by a secrecy order.
[...]
Point 3) Walker is hiding behind the shield of proceedings secrecy; But the presiding judge says anyone
is free to disclose emails unless they've already "testified at the proceedings". Obviously, Walker's involvement in the case has not been merely "voluntary" as he has so often claimed.
In addition to the ethics questions of the John Doe investigation, Walker is already under scrutiny by members of Congress after video footage released in early May appear to contradict statements he made in his testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the spring of 2011 that Act 10 was only “budgetary” and not about union busting. Wisconsin Democrats have accused him of lying under oath, which carries a felony charge. WTDY in Madison has also obtained documents calling into question other portions of his testimony, namely when he actually began to draft the union-busting Act 10.
Point 4) Walker may have
bigger legal problems than the
mere supervision of graft and corruption. Walker seems to be guilty of
felonious perjury in the performance of his governmental duties -- thanks to the videotape. Uh oh.
The damn tape is always running GOP ... and sooner or later, it will catch up with you. Hopefully it's sooner.
What's that old saying about: Connecting the Dots, before it's too late?
That is the lesson Wisconsites must learn, before they make the same Walker mistake,
TWICE.
And then have to endure the same austerity consequences TWICE.
Once bitten, twice shy ... I think the saying goes, that fits the current Recall circumstances.
Never again ... never again. Wisconsin, it's time to put out this all-consuming Wildfire, once and for all.