MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – The Wisconsin Supreme Court has weighed in on a case that has dogged Governor Scott Walker.
The high court has killed the so-called John Doe probe Thursday morning in a decisive 4-2 decision. You can read the entire ruling here.
The three-year-old probe has been looking into allegations that Walker and Republican Senate recall candidates illegally coordinated fundraising and other activities with outside conservative groups in 2012.
The justices ruled on two lawsuits from targets of the investigation which tried to shut it down for good.
In the third lawsuit, prosecutors were looking to reverse a judge’s ruling from last year which essentially said there was no wrongdoing.
Conservative justice Michael Gableman wrote that the campaign finance law on which the probe was based is “unconstitutionally broad and vague.” In a dissent, liberal Justice Shirley Abrahamson said today’s ruling weakens the state’s campaign finance law.
The Walker camp praised the decision, and said it’s time to move past what it called an expensive and “unwarranted” investigation.
“I think that the law was on Governor Walker’s side, there’s some ambiguity in the state statute,” says St. Norbert College Associate Professor of Judicial Process and American Politics Charles Jacobs.
Jacobs calls this good news for Walker, a Republican candidate for president in 2016, but warns his campaign will be watched closely for any fundraising issues.
“Some of the associations or some of the money that he takes from particular people or organizations might raise a red flag as it relates to this kind of litigation that was going on in the state,” Jacobs said. “That’s certainly not the kind of message you want to project as you’re arguing that you are the best candidate for the job.”
In a statement after the ruling, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said, “This closes a divisive chapter in Wisconsin history, and the assertive recognition of First Amendment rights by the Wisconsin Supreme Court protects free speech for all Wisconsinites. The Court’s decision leaves no doubt that the John Doe investigation is over.”
