2-13-15 republicans unveil bill to limit john doe probes

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans have unveiled a new bill to restrict John Doe investigations after prosecutors used the process to go after GOP Gov. Scott Walker.  John Does are the Wisconsin equivalent of grand jury investigations where information is gathered in secret and tightly controlled. Since Walker took office in 2011, prosecutors in Milwaukee and the Government Accountability Board have used the process to investigate Walker’s aides when he was Milwaukee County executive and look into whether Walker’s 2012 gubernatorial recall campaign illegally coordinated with conservative groups.  Under the bill, John Doe probes could be used to investigate serious physical crimes. Investigations would be limited to six months. Secrecy orders would apply only to judges, prosecutors, court officials and investigators. Witnesses and the probe’s targets could talk publicly.