CLC Statement on U.S. Supreme Court’s Denial of Cert Petition in Wisconsin John Doe Appeal

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to grant certiorari and hear an appeal of the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that shut down the criminal investigation into possible illegal coordination between Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and special interest groups  during Walker’s 2012 recall election.

Brendan Fischer, associate counsel for the Campaign Legal Center, issued the following statement in reaction to court’s denial of cert in Chisholm v. Two Unnamed Petitioners:

“It’s important to recognize that a denial of cert does not mean the U.S. Supreme Court endorses or sanctions the actions of Gov. Scott Walker, his dark money group or the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Given the split on the U.S. Supreme Court, it is perhaps not surprising that the justices declined to wade into this politically charged, highly complex case that raises difficult legal issues that may divide the court.

Gov. Walker secretly told out-of-state donors they could support him by secretly giving to Wisconsin Club for Growth which, he emphasized, could accept corporate contributions without limit. Walker’s campaign adviser controlled how Wisconsin Club for Growth spent the money, and after winning reelection, Walker signed legislation advancing the interests of the secret donors.

Anyone who looks at the evidence in this case, recently published by The Guardian, would come to the conclusion that this is not how our political system should work. What this tells us is that we need a functioning Supreme Court that can clarify and improve its current jurisprudence on the role of money in politics.”

Read Brendan Fischer’s piece highlighting the disturbing facts of this case.