Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Walkergate: Santa Doe Gives Tim Russell Another Lump Of Coal

As the gentle reader is aware, Scott Walker's lifelong friend, campaign worker and aide, Tim Russell, took the fall for his old buddy and was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing money from a ersatz veterans fund (which really was nothing more than a campaign stunt for Walker).

Sadly, Russell could have and should have been charged with so much more but Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm was unable or unwilling to get the job done.  Russell was heavily involved with the caucus-style of illegal politicking going on in the courthouse, including setting up the secret router that Walker and company used to avoid open record requests.

Like his co-conspirator, Kelly Rindfleisch, Russell decided a slap on the wrist was too much and appealed his conviction, even though he had pleaded guilty.

Predictably, it did not go as well as Russell was hoping:
A Wisconsin appeals court has upheld a theft conviction against a former aide of Gov. Scott Walker when he was Milwaukee County executive.

The 1st District Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled against Tim Russell in his appeal of his 2012 conviction.

Russell was Walker's deputy chief of staff in 2009 and 2010 and was charged with stealing more than $21,000 from a nonprofit group benefiting veterans. He pleaded guilty to one felony theft count and was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

Russell argued on appeal that he was wrongly sentenced for the crime of misconduct in office, rather than theft. He also argued that he was ordered to pay $5,000 more in restitution than was proper.

But the appeals court upheld the lower court's rulings in both instances.
Even the appeal didn't work out, Russell can take some solace that his time in the big house will be over within a month - provided he keeps his nose clean.

Then the only question is what strings Walker will pull to reward his old chum for his silence all this time.  And you know that will happen, otherwise Russell might write a kiss and tell book which would torpedo Walker's presidential aspirations.

12 comments:

  1. Think Scott Walker had a falling-out with his old felon friend. Russell's appeal never had a shot, but he did get a X-Mas dig into Walker. Walker had better wish Russell doesn't get a ghostwriter to write a book: My Time with Scott Walker, the Naked Truth.

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  2. Looks like Timmy lost some weight there in the hoosegow.

    On another note, I have to wonder wonder, how much would someone have to pay Timmy to talk freely about his time working under walker...so to speak

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  3. maybe walker will get timmy a job working with boys at wisconsin department of public instruction -- don't expect tony evers to say "boo"!

    Won't be the first time walke appointed a pedophile to oversee children...

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  4. It may have been a nervous few years for Mr. Russell, as I have heard that even certain unproved allegations can lead to difficulties with other inmates. Depending on the nature of the unproved allegations.

    Besides his long term residence at the Hotel Greybar, Mr Russell apparently owes a substantial sum of money possibly due to his guilty plea to that felony count. His court assessment is shown as $27,378.90, of which he is shown as having paid to the court $ 36.25.

    Another thing I noticed:
    Another attorney for the Public Defenders office now appears on the list of Russell's attorneys. Apparently one with more experience than Mr. Mathers.

    Question: Here the names of the attorneys listed as representing Russell at various times since he was charged.

    Attorney Name Entered Withdrawn
    Maistelman, Michael S 01-05-2012 04-06-2012

    Birdsall, John A 03-21-2012 04-06-2012

    Krueger, Dennis r 04-06-2012 07-20-2012

    Mathers, Parker Charles 08-16-2012

    Cornwall, Andrea Taylor 06-17-2014

    Source: for above: wcca.wicourts.gov/simpleCaseSearch (State of Wisconsin vs. Timothy D. Russell
    Milwaukee County Case Number 2012CF000053)

    However an older JS story states the following:

    The lawyer, Parker C. Mathers, appeared with Russell in court Thursday. Mathers is Russell’s fifth lawyer since felony charges were filed against him in January,
    http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/166407946.html

    Can anyone explain which is correct ( is it now five or is it now six), and supply the missing name if there is one?

    Molotoff and Happy Whatever you choose to celebrate to all.


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    Replies
    1. Russell was also represented by Michael Maistelman.

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    2. Maistelman is first on the list I quoted above.

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    3. Ah, I see. The name your looking for is Andrew Franklin. Russell also had Michael Maxwell representing him in bankruptcy court.

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    4. Now I remember.

      http://cognidissidence.blogspot.com/2012/04/walkergate-whats-in-whose-wallet.html

      "At the bottom of page 15, ADA Bruce Landgraf, the lead prosecutor for Russell's case, makes mention of a possible plea bargain. Maybe John Doe will be voting in the recall after all.

      The next really curious point comes on page 22 (emphasis mine):

      ATTORNEY FRANKLIN: February 3rd, I received a $2,000 retainer from someone on behalf of my client. The second that -- Now, the second I reported back to Attorney Maistelman that I received that, he e-mailed me saying that he wanted a thousand dollars out of it for prior work that had been done. Something that we had never discussed. I-emailed him and said basically what the heck are you talking about."

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  5. Seasons Greetings to you and yours Capper, stay warm & keep up the good work

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  6. I will try again... Merry Christmas, Chris.

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  7. Thank you, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to both of you, Larry and Tim.

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