The head of a state government watchdog group says documents unsealed by a federal appeals court from a John Doe investigation are a “bombshell.”
A federal appeals court ordered the release of documents from the investigation into possible illegal coordination between conservative groups and Republicans targeted by recalls, including Governor Scott Walker. Jay Heck of Common Cause says one e-mail shows Walker discussing the coordination with Republican strategist Karl Rove, something he says is a “game-changing development.”
The John Doe investigation has so far not resulted in any charges, but Heck says the documents provide a much better understanding of why several major conservative groups have fought to keep the documents secret.
The probe, launched by a group of county district attorneys and being run by a special prosecutor, remains on hold because of a federal court challenge. A federal appeals court is currently reviewing a decision by a U.S. District judge, who found that the investigation violated the First Amendment rights of some of the groups targeted by the probe.
Even if the case is eventually thrown out, Heck says the revelations included in the documents definitely show Walker has some explaining to do.
WHBY