• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / News / Campaign contributions net felony charges

Campaign contributions net felony charges

April 11, 2011 By Andrew Beckett

An Executive at the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Company faces felony charges, after officials say he illegally reimbursed his employees for making campaign contributions. Government Accountability Board Director Kevin Kennedy says investigators focused on 11 donations totaling almost $54,000 that William Gardner reimbursed his employees for making.

The majority of those went to Governor Scott Walker’s campaign fund, while contributions also went to former Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan and the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee. Most have been returned or donated to charity.

Prosecutors say Gardner is expected to plead guilty to both felony charges, avoiding jail time. However, the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Company will have to pay a $166,900 civil forfeiture and seven employees will have to pay $250 forfeitures.

The investigation was carried out by GAB and the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office. Assistant Milwaukee County DA Bruce Langford says it was launched after a tip from Gardner’s ex-girlfriend, who reported the contributions to election officials because of a domestic dispute.

Kennedy says these types of donation schemes are difficult to catch without outside help. Officials hope this case will encourage others to come forward, especially if they feel they were pressured by an employer to donate to a political campaign.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:19)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Scott Walker



Featured Stories

Teachers to begin getting vaccinated March 1 in Wisconsin

Assembly approves bill to allow DWD to update computers

Bucks extend win streak to three

Evers defends proposed budget as Republicans voice disapproval on his spending targets

Antetokounmpo, Middleton lead Bucks past Kings

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Bucks extend win streak to three

Antetokounmpo, Middleton lead Bucks past Kings

Number-21 Wisconsin ends two-game slide (AUDIO)

Badgers tie Notre Dame, take 4 of 6 points on the weekend

Bucks losing streak reaches five games

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC