MADISON, WI (Wisconsin Radio Network) — Governor Scott Walker says he spoke only briefly with accused Russian spy Maria Butina. Walker posed for a photo with Butina at a National Rifle Association meeting in 2015. She also attended his campaign kick off in Waukesha while Walker was a candidate for president.
Walker says he doesn’t have specific recollections about the interactions, saying that they were at larger meet-and-greets where he met dozens of people.
Butina posted online that Walker said “hello” and “thank you” to her in Russian. Walker said he learned some basic phrases in russian while he was at Marquette Univeristy.Walker says neither he nor his campaign have been contacted by the FBI. Butina was indicted this week for conspiring to interfere with U.S politics and advance Russian interests. The Justice Department says she was making contacts with conservative political groups and candidates.
Democrats have called for transparency on any interactions Walker had with Butina or other foreign nationals.
