A former close aide to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker during his time as Milwaukee County executive is among three people arrested and charged with felonies today as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Former Milwaukee County housing director Tim Russell, 48, faces two felony and one misdemeanor embezzlement charges.
The complaint against Russell says he stole more than $10,000 from a private entity he controlled that was supposed to benefit military veterans to pay for Caribbean and Hawaiian vacations.
The arrest of a close Walker aide raises more questions about the extent of the investigation and its direction as Walker faces a possible recall election motivated by anger over his proposal effectively ending collective bargaining rights for public workers.
Steve Frank