Wisconsin Political Speech Raid

[hue]

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304799404579155953286552832

Subpoenas hit allies of Scott Walker as his re-election campaign looms.


Updated Nov. 15, 2013 6:53 p.m. ET

Americans learned in the IRS political targeting scandal that government enforcement power can be used to stifle political speech. Something similar may be unfolding in Wisconsin, where a special prosecutor is targeting conservative groups that participated in the battle over Governor Scott Walker's union reforms.

In recent weeks, special prosecutor Francis Schmitz has hit dozens of conservative groups with subpoenas demanding documents related to the 2011 and 2012 campaigns to recall Governor Walker and state legislative leaders.

Copies of two subpoenas we've seen demand "all memoranda, email . . . correspondence, and communications" both internally and between the subpoena target and some 29 conservative groups, including Wisconsin and national nonprofits, political vendors and party committees. The groups include the League of American Voters, Wisconsin Family Action, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, Americans for Prosperity—Wisconsin, American Crossroads, the Republican Governors Association, Friends of Scott Walker and the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
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One subpoena also demands "all records of income received, including fundraising information and the identity of persons contributing to the corporation." In other words, tell us who your donors are.

The probe began in the office of Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf, though no one will publicly claim credit for appointing Mr. Schmitz, the special prosecutor. The investigation is taking place under Wisconsin's John Doe law, which bars a subpoena's targets from disclosing its contents to anyone but his attorneys. John Doe probes work much like a grand jury, allowing prosecutors to issue subpoenas and conduct searches, while the gag orders leave the targets facing the resources of the state with no way to publicly defend themselves.

[hue]

2. This is an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal. Milw. Journal/Sentinel is called the "urinal"

[factsarenotfair]

3. Oopsie! Thanks for the correction.

[WhiteHat]

4. Bull.

"Americans learned in the IRS political targeting scandal that government enforcement power can be used to stifle political speech."

Actually, we learned that the IRS questioned non-profits fairly evenly regardless of their political tilt. Read the facts, not the lies.

Sadly, the Wall St. Journal has become Fox News with a bowtie. Same ownership, same politics, same lies and distortions.

Re the WI investigation, earlier criminal cases have resulted in some convictions plus evidence that there were more violations. That's "probable cause." The WI investigators are simply doing the job they're paid to do. Look somewhere else for your boogymen.

[hue]

5. The OP was posted as info re: the ongoing fed John Doe in WI as we rarely hear news of it.

The writer revealed much more than the MSM ever did.
Yes his opinion is bull.

[MillennialDem]

6. Righties crying in advance. Imagine if/when Walker is arrested how much they'll howl.

[hue]

7. Ironic that his own publication of these events is ultimate proof of freedom of speech!