Lots of stories circulating about the investigation, corruption and cronyism in the Walker administration. Here are just some of them:
Wisconsin has been riveted in recent days by reports that more of Governor Scott Walker's top aides may be implicated in a secret "John Doe" investigation into potentially illegal campaign practices during Walker's 2010 gubernatorial race. Although the investigation has been underway for at least a year, recent revelations that the governor's spokesperson has been granted immunity and that another top aide had her house raided by the FBI, has the state abuzz with speculation about the target and scope of the investigation.
Probe rattles Wisconsin politics
A criminal investigation has shaken Wisconsin political circles and touched off speculation that Gov. Scott Walker may be in its sights, according to numerous reports.
“Walker has a habit of tapping cronies to fill top slots” instead of doing national searches to fill positions...
As it turns out, Walkers poor choices to hire cronies over qualified applicants started in 2005...
[T[hese are just a few instances of Scott Walker’s involvement in cronyism and his pay to play scheme that are starting to re-surface as the floodgates of information begin to open...
Woman interviewed for state job days after it was given to Walker top aide
Three days after Cindy Archer was to have started her job as the legislative liaison at the state Department of Children and Families - and while she was already being paid sick leave for it - the agency interviewed someone else for the same job...
[T]he office of Gov. Scott Walker - and not the Department of Children and Families - offered Archer the job at up to 65% more than what the last person to hold the position made. Children and Families Secretary Eloise Anderson never interviewed Archer for the nearly $100,000-a-year job, even though Anderson is responsible for appointing someone to the post.
[Archer] was supposed to start the job at the Department of Children and Families on Aug. 22, but she started taking paid medical leave that day and has not yet reported for the new position.
Three days later, on Aug. 25, Anderson interviewed Heidi Green for the job of legislative liaison, records show.
Green on Sept. 13 emailed Deputy Children and Families Secretary Joan Hansen a link to a Journal Sentinel story about Archer's new job.
"What is going on?" Green's email asked. "Why would I interview on August 25th if she got the job on the 18th???"
Hansen wrote back to say she had tried to call Green the previous week.
"Odd because I have caller ID, an answering machine and (voice mail) . . . but I do have call waiting so it's possible. . . . I do not see a state number (on caller ID)," Green responded.
Walkergate: Only cronies need apply
Here's a list of a few of them...
Brian Deschane, the son of a wealthy lobbyist, who had no college degree, no experience but did have two drunk driving arrests. That earned him an $81,500 job, with a 26% raise.
Stephen Fitzgerald, the father of the Twins of Tantrums, Scott and Jeff, who was appointed at the state's top trooper for a cool $105,700 a year.
Valerie Cass… the lobbyist who won her position by winning over the heart and marriage of Randy Randy "Bed" Hopper.
Jeff "Judas" Plale… earned his thirty pieces of silver by selling his vote to Walker and shooting down the union contracts at the end of 2010… Walker has moved Plale up to an even higher paying with less responsibility job.
Tom Nardelli…ended up being Walker's Chief of Staff and enforcer… only to be jumped up again later [and] was on his way to his fourth pension when he abruptly left his job, only days into his most recent promotion.
Cindy Archer … Walker's Director of Administration at Milwaukee County… held a similar job at the state. Like Nardelli, Archer abruptly left her job, but… already had a new job at the state before she left the new one.
John Scocos … Secretary of Veterans Affairs, is apparently so incompetent and corrupt that two ranking member of the Board of Veteran Affairs has resigned directly due to his appointment.
Legislature should reverse Walker's cronyism
Wow! Ya think?
