Wis. rail exec charged with illegal donations
By TODD RICHMOND, Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Prosecutors have charged a Wisconsin railroad magnate with making illegal campaign contributions.
Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Company chief executive William Gardner faces one count of excessive political contributions and one count of unlawful political contribution in Washington County. Both counts are felonies.
Gardner last May apologized for using company money to reimburse employees' political donations to Gov. Scott Walker. The governor, who was in the middle of a primary contest at the time, returned about $44,000 in contributions. Donating corporate money to political candidates is illegal in Wisconsin.
Gardner issued a statement saying he didn't realize he was violating the law but says he will plead guilty.
State election officials and Milwaukee prosecutors are handling the case. They planned an afternoon news conference to discuss the investigation.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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