Scott Walker Gubernatorial campaign probe halted

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/17/us/wisconsin-court-to-rule-on-inquiry-involving-scott-walkers-2012-campaign.html?_r=0


The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a criminal investigation into allegations of coordination between conservative groups and Gov. Scott Walker’s 2012 campaign cannot continue.

The decision of the court, which was divided, ends the specter of a criminal investigation as Mr. Walker pursues the Republican nomination for president. Mr. Walker, who has won three elections for governor over the last five years including a recall challenge in 2012, officially announced his bid on Monday.

“To be clear,” Thursday’s ruling reads, “this conclusion ends the John Doe investigation because the special prosecutor’s legal theory is unsupported in either reason or law. Consequently, the investigation is closed.”

Legal experts said the special prosecutor, Francis D. Schmitz, could appeal the decision to the United States Supreme Court. A lawyer for Mr. Schmitz was not available for comment on Thursday morning.