Tornado Alley (PROG)

[arizona1]

Walker transfers another $40,000 to legal defense fund
2/1/2013

Gov. Scott Walker transferred $40,000 from his campaign account to his legal defense fund on the last day of 2012 and then used the money to pay two of his attorneys, according to filings with the GAB and IRS.

The transfer to the Scott Walker Trust raises new questions about the status of the long-running John Doe investigation in Milwaukee involving former aides from the guv’s days as county exec.

"The transfer covers work done to cooperate with authorities over the past year," said Walker spokeswoman Nicole Tieman.

Walker has insisted he's not a target of the probe. But he announced in March the creation of the legal defense fund to pay two criminal defense attorneys to help him review documents and assist in cooperating with prosecutors.

Walker has now put at least $200,000 into the defense fund.

"Where there is smoke, there is fire," state Dem spokesman Graeme Zielinski said.

The IRS filing shows Walker paid his attorneys the same day he transferred the money from his campaign account.

He paid $25,000 to Milwaukee attorney Michael Steinle and $15,000 to Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago.

Meanwhile, Walker's re-election warchest is at nearly $800,000.

Walker, poised to run for another four-year term next year, reported raising $473,719 during the last half of 2012, closing the year with $793,861 cash on hand.
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=288858