(The Center Square) – Ethics investigators in Wisconsin are asking local prosecutors to look into alleged campaign finance violations from the people who tried to unseat the state’s assembly speaker in 2022.
The state’s Ethics Commission asked for investigations into Adam Steen, who lost to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in the 2022 primary, and Rep. Janel Brantdjen, R-Menomonee Falls, who has been a vocal critic of Vos for years.
Commissioners say Steen, Brandtjen and others are working with the Save America Joint Fundraising Committee to essentially launder money to Steen’s election effort.
The Ethics Commission found “agents” associated with the committee tried to work around Wisconsin’s fundraising limits.
The scheme, according to the commission, had people make any donations of more than $1,000 to the Langlade County GOP. They used the number 63 in their check memo line to earmark the money for Steen’s primary challenge.
The Ethics Commission report then says the Langlade County GOP would send the money directly to Steen or use the donations on in-kind donations to help his campaign.
In all, ethics investigators say the plan directed more than $40,000 to Steen’s bid to unseat Vos.
Steen has not responded to the Ethics Commission report, neither has Brandtjen.
