State Medicaid Director Brett Davis Must Go for Role in Illegal Campaigning on Public Dime

Continued State Employment of Key Figure in Walker Criminal Investigation 'Reeks of Cronyism at Best, Hush Money at Worst'

Madison -- On the heels of Kelly Rindfleisch's guilty plea to a felony misconduct in office charge, and a jail sentence for campaign fundraising work she did while a top aide to Scott Walker as Milwaukee County Executive to benefit the 2010 Lieutenant Governor campaign of then Rep. Brett Davis, Gov. Walker must ask for Davis' resignation from his $108,000 per year state job as State Medicaid Director, according to One Wisconsin Now Executive Director, Scot Ross.

In a letter to Gov. Walker, Ross wrote, "Mr. Davis' abuse of the public trust and taxpayer resources ought to be punished, not be rewarded with supervisory capacity over hundreds of employees and billions of tax dollars and continued employment with a six-figure salary courtesy of state taxpayers."

Ross noted Davis' continued appointment would reinforce a disturbing pattern of jobs for key figures in the corruption investigation surrounding the Walker administration. In addition to Davis, the recently sentenced Rindfleisch was employed by the Walker campaign and a major Walker campaign contractor, even after her indictment on multiple felony charges related to her campaigning on public time.

Ross commented, "If Gov. Walker is serious about punishing misconduct, he needs to back up his words with actions. Instead of rewarding Brett Davis with a six figure salary for ripping off taxpayers, he needs to be fired."

As reported by the Wisconsin State Journal, Ms. Rindlfeisch's attorney commented, "All I can tell you is he (Davis) was well aware of the fact that she (Rindfleisch) was in the county executive's office."

"Brett Davis' continued employment as State Medicaid Director, overseeing hundreds of employees and billions in state spending reeks of cronyism at best and hush money at worst," Ross concluded.

One Wisconsin Now's letter to Gov. Walker continues below.

Office of Governor Scott Walker
115 East Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Sent via e-mail

Dear Governor Walker,

I write today to urge you to remove Brett Davis as State Medicaid Director, based on his involvement in the use of a public employee under your direct supervision, on public time, as a fundraiser for his unsuccessful campaign for Lieutenant Governor in 2010.

As you know, your former Milwaukee County Deputy Chief of Staff Kelly Rindfleisch was recently sentenced to jail time as result of a guilty plea to a charge of misconduct in public office related to raising campaign cash on public time for Mr. Davis's campaign.

Ms. Rindfleisch's lawyer, commenting on the extent of Mr. Davis' knowledge of her illegal activities said, "he (Davis) was well aware of the fact that she (Rindfleisch) was in the county executive's office".

It is clear that Mr. Davis knew what was being done on his behalf, and knew, or should have known, that it was an improper use of public resources. Yet Mr. Davis did nothing to stop it.

Mr. Davis' abuse of the public trust and taxpayer resources ought to be punished, not be rewarded with supervisory capacity over hundreds of employees and billions of tax dollars and continued employment with a six-figure salary courtesy of state taxpayers.

In light of efforts to provide for the continued employment of Ms. Rindfleisch by your campaign, even after her indictment on felony charges for her activities as your Milwaukee County Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Davis' continued state employment reeks of cronyism at best, and hush money at worst.

If your words about taking misconduct seriously are to be believed, they must be backed up with concrete actions. Mr. Davis must be removed from state employment immediately.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Scot Ross
Executive Director, One Wisconsin Now