Appeals court lifts injunction in Walker investigation

by Ben Kamisar - 09/24/14 6:39 PM ET

A federal appeals court decision Wednesday could pave the way for a new inquiry into potential campaign finance violations by aides to Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

The unanimous ruling lifted a federal injunction that previously barred the state of Wisconsin from investigating Walker’s aides and other conservative groups for illegal activities during his 2010 election and 2012 recall. The federal judges ruled that the state alone should handle the case and sent it back to Wisconsin courts.

{mosads}But the state investigation still faces significant hurdles. Wisconsin Judge Gregory A. Peterson quashed subpoenas in January for lack of probable cause, stalling the inquiry. According to The Associated Press, that decision is under an appeal.

Prosecutors said in June that the probe did not personally target Walker. Before Judge Peterson halted the investigation, they were looking into whether his aides directed outside organizations to fundraise for the governor and flout the state’s campaign finance laws.

Walker has fought back by labeling the accusations as a partisan campaign to sway voters before his upcoming election against Democrat Mary Burke. The investigation could have an impact on both the toss-up gubernatorial election as well as his potential bid for president in 2016 if any of his close confidants are implicated.

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“Today’s ruling has no impact on the fact that Judge Peterson shut down this investigation in January,” Walker’s campaign said in a statement released to reporters after the decision.

Tags Scott Walker Wisconsin