Reply #5: TPM: 'John Doe': How Blog Comments Have Launched Probe Of Walker [View All]

'John Doe': How Blog Comments Have Launched Probe Of Walker
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/john_doe_how_blog_comments_have_launched_probe_of.php


The ongoing ethics probe of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's (R) time as Milwuakee County Executive all stems from a uniquely modern-day source -- blog commenting.... in 2010, when Walker was a candidate for governor. Darlene Wink, his constituent services coordinator in the county, resigned ... she had been using state time to post comments on the paper's articles, promoting Walker and criticizing his opponents in the gubernatorial race.

For example, one comment criticized Walker's opponent in the Republican primary, ............

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......... the investigation is what is known in Wisconsin as a "John Doe" investigation --Â a secret proceeding in which witnesses can be subpoenaed to testify under oath, but are forbidden from talking publicly about the case.

That layer of secrecy has led to much speculation and denials in the press. For example, Walker aide Tom Nardelli, who back in Milwaukee County had been Walker's chief of staff for three years, suddenly quit his job in late August .............