MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – A governor’s campaign donor was reportedly facing legal problems when he was given a half-million dollar state loan for a business that later folded.
The Building Committee of Milwaukee and its owner, William Minahan, received a loan from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in 2011 for a project that was never completed.
The Journal Sentinel said the company did not report legal actions, as required in its loan application.
However, the paper cited online court records showing that Minahan had almost $16,000 in delinquent taxes in late 2010. And a year before the loan application was signed, the Building Committee was sued for thousands in a judgment case.
Minahan has not commented.
Paul Jadin, who headed the WEDC at the time, said he was never aware of Minahan’s lawsuits — and he expected loan underwriters to discover those things.
Reports said the loan was sought by former Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch — and it was supposed to be for a lot more, but Jadin recently said he considered the loan risky.
The state has gone to court to try and get the money back.
The Journal Sentinel said Minahan donated $10,000 to former Governor Jim Doyle in 2009, before giving $10,000 to Walker on the day he was elected in 2010. Walker has denied any involvement.
The potential 2016 G-O-P presidential hopeful was asked about it by CNN Tuesday. He said the criticism by Democrats was unfounded, and he called himself “probably the most scrutinized politician in America” due to his three elections in the past 4 years.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
