Wisconsin “John Doe” target goes on offense, threatens federal suit
Demands “prosecutors close the investigation immediately, publicly exonerate Mr. O’Keefe … and dissolve the gag order”
We previously wrote in detail about the “John Doe” investigation in Wisconsin targeting a wide range of conservative groups and Scott Walker supporters relating to the failed Democratic attempt to recall Walker. See Secret probe of conservatives makes Wisconsin ground zero in First Amendment war for the details.
We also noted the Big defeat for anti-conservative Wisconsin “John Doe” probe, when a judge recently quashed subpoenas.
In a new development, Eric O’Keefe, one of the targets of the investigation, is demanding that the prosecutors end the probe or face a federal lawsuit (full media release embedded at bottom of post):
Eric O’Keefe, who has been identified in media reports as a target of a secret “John Doe” investigation in Wisconsin, today demanded that state prosecutors end their action against him or face a federal civil rights action. O’Keefe is director of the Wisconsin Club for Growth, which was also targeted for alleged unlawful “coordination” with Governor Scott Walker’s campaign for fiscal reforms.
“This investigation is political payback by elected prosecutors against conservative activists for their political successes in Wisconsin,” stated O’Keefe. “They are violating the constitutional rights of private citizens and must be held accountable.”
In a letter to the prosecutors, O’Keefe’s lawyer, Washington attorney David B. Rivkin, states that the probe has no basis in Wisconsin law and violates Mr. O’Keefe’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association. The prosecutors’ legal reasoning, the letter states, “is unsupportable as a matter of law and crystal clear evidence of bad faith.”
“I am confident that any federal court that reviews the facts will see your investigation for what it is, put a stop to it, and hold you publicly accountable,” the letter states.
The letter demands that Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm and the other prosecutors close the investigation immediately, publicly exonerate Mr. O’Keefe and the Club, and dissolve the gag order that bars discussion of the proceeding. Despite the gag order, the investigation has been widely reported in the media, apparently due to leaks to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel from the prosecutors’ offices, Rivkin’s letter states.
Wisconsin John Doe Target OKeefe – Media Release
DONATE
Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Comments
You know, since the leaks came from the prosecution side, am I wrong in thinking that some liberal bubble-heads purposefully leaked the investigation to the press, thinking that the press and Americans in general would be on their side against the evil ‘tea-party’ types trying to funnel money to conservatives?
Which, by the way, is a whole other hypocritical angle of this. If leaks came from the prosecution side, are they not illegally violating the court’s gag order? Funny how nobody is being prosecuted for that, when I GUARANTEE you that if leaks had come from the defendant he would have been immediately charged.
Gag order means the defense isn’t allowed to try the case in the media. Technically it’s binding against the prosecution as well, but who’s in charge of investigating leaks?… Oh. Nevermind.
Political payback by elected officials? Boy, the national media will be all over this one!
/SARC
The national media appears to be stuck in traffic on a bridge in New Jersey.
….while gazing at their own navels for months on end.
They think they’re the be all and end all….well their right about being some sort of “end” alright!
Of course, if the shoe was on the other foot, The Wacky (and Evil) Left would be screaming, “McCarthyism! McCarthyism!” to the heavens.
The only evocation of the late Wisconsin Senator should be in the way of an open apology from the American people. “We’re sorry, Senator McCarthy! You were right, the government is full of them!”
Has anyone but me noticed that the Left decries McCarthy but have embraced and enhanced the tactics which they accuse him of using?
Also, perhaps Milwaukee’s corruption and foul, Democratic-Machine stench has something to do with its proximity to Sh!tcago. Or to the Democratic Party….
Just when you think the current administration and the democratic party, esp. in red and purple states, can’t become any more vindictive and punitive, they do something more to top it. This is right up there in the top 10. What we know from 2012, it’s going to get worse before it get’s better. They’re running scared into 2014 mid-terms. Eric Holder is leading the way and giving them incentives to do so.
When they finally stoop to Photoshopping the original Constitution, maybe they’ll use the same amateurs who created Teh Chosen Won’s genuine birth certificate.
We’ll hear Jay Carney say with all seriousness, “Well, yes, we have evidence that the Constitution was written in layers and that New Times Roman font was, in fact, used to some extent.”
It’s clear to me that the liberal progressive democrat union crowd will sink to any level in order to preserve their ill-gotten booty.
Hopefully, this will all end up in Scott Walker’s favor when all is said and done…
The most disheartening aspect of this tale is that the prosecutors responsible will be reelected in their jurisdictions. The electorate is all-too-willing to allow breeches of core constitutional principles as long as it suits a political end. Look to the very top of the law enforcement chain, Eric Holder, and HIS willingness to allow constitutional infractions to suit political ends.
FYI
“Gallup Poll: #1 U.S. Problem is Government, the Economy is #2
An interesting Gallup poll shows Government Itself Still Cited as Top U.S. Problem
Mentions of the government as the top problem remain higher than they were prior to the partial government shutdown in October. During the shutdown, the percentage naming the government as the top problem doubled to 33% from 16% in September.
Read more at http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/#b1xGOA2Ew47AM5iG.99
Dems getting mad…”you’re stealing our moves!”
So one of the apparent subjects of the inquiry states that the leaks came from the prosecution side. That’s proof enough for me! Or is it? Could there be political advantage in the defense leaking information to the press?