Scott Walker Says No Matter What Happens With John Doe, He Won’t Harm Political Allies

Gov. Scott Walker told reporters in Chippewa Falls on Friday that whatever happens with a state John Doe investigation and a federal lawsuit seeking to block it, he won’t do anything to harm his political allies.

“We’re not going to undermine anyone’s free speech rights, nor are we going to do anything that undermines some of my fellow conservatives,” said Walker.

The probe is looking into possible illegal coordination between Walker’s campaign and conservative issue advocacy groups. Media reports citing unnamed sources earlier this week said Walker was negotiating a settlement with John Doe prosecutors.

Walker says he’s not negotiating anything in a federal lawsuit that recently halted the investigation. Walker has not commented on whether his lawyer is discussing a deal for the investigation itself in the state court system.