Ethics
Coronavirus, County, Elections, Ethics, Schools
Marathon County Clerk Who Said She Could ‘Do Anything Behind the Scenes’ Now Faces Ethics Investigation
On Monday, Marathon County’s Executive Committee met behind closed doors and unanimously agreed the post, and several others that homed in on Wausau School board president Tricia Zunker suggesting she and other board members be recalled for their decision to begin the school year virtually, warranted an investigation.
Ethics, Milwaukee, Police, Police Commission
He won’t go: Fire and Police Commission chair refuses to step down despite ethics findings, loss of confidence from mayor, chief
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Police Chief Alfonso Morales both have lost confidence in Steven DeVougas’ ability to lead the Fire and Police Commission in light of an independent report that found he lied about his legal representation of real estate developer Kalan Haywood Sr., they said in recent interviews. The report also found Milwaukee police rushed…
Assault Awareness & Prevention, Congress, Ethics
Time to Go
There is no room for this behavior. None. Connecticut Democratic Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty must resign at once for actions that can, in no way, be condoned. The Washington Post reports in detailed account how Esty did not act when she found out her chief of staff threatened to murder a woman who worked in the office. To make matters even more bizarre Esty also wrote the man a letter of recommendation!
Via Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Must Resign—Now | CAFFEINATED POLITICS.
Ethics, Gov. Walker, TrumpRussia, WISGOP
All Roads Lead Back to Maple Bluff
If these allegations from CREW [Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington] are true, and if it you put it together with Walker campaigners that have ties to Cambridge Analytica, it sure seems possible that WisGOP was illegally working with organizations like Cambridge that are supposed to be operating independently from candidates and parties in both 2014 and 2016. And if Walker and WisGOP were not reporting those expenses, that’s a major campaign law violation.The Cambridge connections make the $1.1 million that Ukrainian oligarch and Putin buddy Len Blavatnik gave to Walker’s epic fail of a presidential campaign interesting, doesn’t it? It also makes me wonder what favors may have been returned to these outside groups from the Governor, Legislature, and other WisGOPs in return for all of this “research”?
Via Jake’s Wisconsin Funhouse: Some Trump/Russia links, snooping is leading back to Wisconsin.
Courts, Ethics, WISGOP
WISGOP Pays Prosser’s Legal Bills
Via WisconsinEye.
Ethics, Law, Misconduct
‘Continually ignoring his clients, lying to courts and refusing to cooperate with ethics investigators’
Business, Ethics, Milwaukee
Tyco merger gives Johnson Controls CEO Molinaroli an exit strategy
Alex Molinaroli will hand over the reins of Johnson Controls Inc. to Tyco International’s top executive 18 months after the big merger of the two companies is completed this fall.
That means Molinaroli, whose brief tenure as CEO of the state’s largest company has included wheeling and dealing as well as two personal scandals, will likely be in for a big payday and poised to leave on top.
In the weeks leading up to the merger, both Johnson Controls and Tyco International moved to put some troubling matters behind them, with Tyco reaching a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service over back taxes and Johnson Controls saying a law firm found no wrongdoing by Molinaroli in his involvement with convicted Ponzi schemer Joseph Zada.
Via Tyco merger gives Johnson Controls CEO Molinaroli an exit strategy @ JSOnline.
Courts, Ethics, Wisconsin
Prosserification
“[Prosser’s] tenure as Supreme Court Justice has become increasingly tragic. The court’s reputation and prestige has sunk ever lower and Prosser, who has served on the court since 1998, has become the poster boy for that decline. His most recent ruling, explaining (after the fact) why he didn’t recuse himself from the decision shutting down the John Doe probe of Gov. Scott Walker and third party advocacy groups, makes Prosser look all the more foolish. It’s almost like he can’t help himself from confessing his sins….”
Via Murphy’s Law: The Tragedy of David Prosser @ Urban Milwaukee.
Business, Crony Capitalism, Cronyism, Ethics, Gov. Walker, Government Spending, State Government, WEDC
WEDC: $500,000, Unsecured, for an Insider
Gov. Scott Walker’s top aides and a powerful lobbyist pressed for a taxpayer-funded loan in 2011 to a financially struggling Milwaukee construction company that lost the state half a million dollars, created no jobs and raised questions about where the money went, a State Journal investigation has found. The extraordinary steps led the Wisconsin Economic…
Ethics, Press, Television
Time to Go
Ethics, Sen. Baldwin
Sen. Baldwin’s Staffer Complains
ICYMI: Tammy Baldwin's former deputy state director files ethics complaint http://t.co/D6FpEcb5Ak pic.twitter.com/l0JX8aMXXP — Wis. State Journal (@WiStateJournal) April 22, 2015
Ethics, Medicine
What passes for humor
Via A nurse said: “We all play a game called Interesting Things I Have Found in Obese People’s Rolls of Fat” @ Althouse.
Bucks, Ethics, Legislature, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
Ethically-Suspect Politician Slams Bucks’ Plans
Courts, Ethics
Justice Prosser’s Curiosity Forces His Own Disqualification
Madison— Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser abruptly stepped down from a case earlier this year after a state lawyer said Prosser had apparently contacted a state lab asking questions related to a case before the state’s high court. His withdrawal leaves six justices on the case, raising the possibility of a 3-3 split that…
Ethics, Sports
Vile Cowboys Fan Accused Yet Again of Unethical Behavior
Business, Ethics, Misconduct, Sports
SICK: Harley dealership hosts kickboxing event at which mentally-disabled man is knocked unconscious
Ethics, Public Services
Did the Commissioner Ellen Nowak tip off Big Energy?
Opponents of the controversial increase in solar power fees that the Wisconsin Public Service Commission just awarded We Energies are complaining that a Walker PSC appointee inappropriately communicated with and advised the company…. Via Allegation of inappropriate behavior in latest We Energies rate increase @ The Political Environment.
Ethics, Gov. Walker, Milwaukee County, State Government
‘A fraud of the entire process.’
Via Inside information given to Scott Walker campaign treasurer “unethical,” top expert says @ State Journal.
Elections, Ethics, Law
Lawyer Regulators Exonerate Happ in Ethics Flap
Business, Ethics
But the CEO still has a job
Courts, Ethics, Politics, Wisconsin
At least they’re familiar with the key players
…two of the groups under investigation have been the dominant spenders in Wisconsin Supreme Court elections in recent years, spending over $10 million to elect the Court’s Republican majority. Wisconsin Club for Growth (WiCFG) and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) played a key role in electing the four justices in the majority, in most cases…
Congress, Ethics
Still investigating
Courts, Ethics, Politics
Still $200,000 in the hole
America, Ethics, Gov. Walker
Gov. Walker lands near the top – No. 6 – of a nationwide governor’s ranking
It’s just not a list worth making. Via Group Focused on Goverment Ethics Puts Scott Walker on List of “Worst Governors in America” @ PRWatch.
Ethics, Law, Misconduct
Next Month: Sexual harassment trial for disgraced DA Ken Kratz
Courts, Ethics
Prosser, other justices appoint judicial commissioner who slammed ethics case against…Prosser
Courts, Ethics, Law
Justice Prosser’s lawyer rushes to undercut idea of referring discipline case to Court of Appeals
Strategy of getting Supreme Court justices to recuse themselves doesn’t work if his disciple case goes to Court of Appeals. Via Wisconsin State Journal.
Banking/Finance, Ethics, Federal Government, Misconduct
Fed govt orders fraudster securities dealer to pay $2.6 million for predatory sales
Courts, Ethics
On schedule: Justice Gableman recuses himself from Prosser discipline case
Courts, Ethics
Justice Prosser’s defense fund nearly dry
Cash problems: His latest finance report, filed with GAB on July 20, shows that he had just $1,144.60 in it, and still owed about $229,000 Via On the Capitol @ Wiscosnin State Journal.
Courts, Ethics
Justice Ziegler takes self off Prosser disciplinary case
Business, Crony Capitalism, Ethics, State Government, Taxes
Dems on budget panel want hearing on Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Business, Ethics, Government Spending, State Government
Records show private company accepted offer of tax breaks contingent in winning bid
Newly released records show that an offer of tax breaks to a Stevens Point company contingent on it winning a state contract had been accepted, contradicting earlier claims from Gov. Scott Walker’s administration that no firm commitment had been made . Via WAOW.
Courts, Ethics, Gov. Walker
Former Prosser aide made recommendations for judicial panel investigating Prosser
The new normal? Gov. Scott Walker relied on recommendations from a former Assembly speaker who once worked for state Supreme Court Justice David Prosser in appointing members of a commission investigating Prosser, newly released records show. Via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Business, Ethics, Government Spending, Law, State Government
Controversial head of semi-private state agency stands by dodgy deal
Paul Jadin, head of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, should have been fired months ago. Via WAOW.