After Russell, What’s Next In Doe Probe?

After yesterday’s plea agreement for former Scott Walker aide Tim Russell, the next steps in the Milwaukee County John Doe probe are more courtroom time and a lot of uncertainty.

Russell could go to prison for several years, after pleading guilty to felony theft from a group that raises money for veterans. then-Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker had appointed Russell to lead the fundraising organization.Russell will be sentenced next month. also still ahead are sentencings for former Walker aides or appointees Darlene Wink and Kevin Kavanaugh, and possibly a John Doe-triggered jury trial for Russell’sdomestic partner Brian Pierick. State Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski says Governor Walker could shedlight on other possible paths for the Doe, by releasing more information about the computer network in Milwaukee County that may havehelped Walker during the 2010 governor’s race.

Walker’s election campaign released a statement that ignores the e-mail issue.Instead, the statement says that Governor Walker strongly condemns Tim Russell’s actions. Walker also takes credit for helping investigators solve Russell’s case.

If Milwaukee County Assistant D.A. Bruce Landgraf is pursuing more information from Walker, or charges against anyone else, Landgraf didn’t say much when quizzed by a news reporter yesterday, adding,”I have no comment on the John Doe proceedings.”