Wisconsin Ethics Panel Recommends Charging Trump PAC

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission recommended that prosecutors pursue multiple felony charges against a former President Donald Trump’s political action committee and a Republican state lawmaker for allegedly attempting to unseat Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

The commission accuses Trump’s fundraising committee and State Rep. Janel Brandtjen, a Trump supporter, of collaborating to circumvent campaign finance laws in support of the Republican primary challenger to Vos in 2022, Adam Steen.

The panel also alleges that Trump’s Save America PAC, Brandtjen, Republican Party officials in three counties, and Steen’s campaign worked together to bypass state fundraising limits in an effort to defeat Vos, directing at least $40,000 into the campaign.

“Friends of Adam Steen instructed individuals who wanted to donate more than the allowed limits under Wisconsin’s laws to send the additional funds to the Langlade County Republican Party with ’63’ in the memo line of the check,” commissioners stated in their orders.

Terry Brand, chair of the Langlade County Republican Party, acknowledged that the funds were used to oppose Vos, but he denies any wrongdoing, stating, “I don’t believe we did anything illegal or wrong, other than challenge Robin Vos. Robin Vos wants to convey a message to anyone considering running against him to stay out of his affairs.”

Information from The Associated Press was cited in this report.