Wink Sentencing Delayed as Probe Continues

By Steve Schultze of the Journal Sentinel May 15, 2012

The sentencing of Darlene Wink, a former aide to Gov. Scott Walker, was delayed Tuesday until July 17 so Wink can continue to help prosecutors in an ongoing probe.

Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf asked for a long delay, noting "the prosecutions are not yet closed."

The 61-year-old Wink, who was constituent services coordinator for Walker while he was Milwaukee County executive, agreed to cooperate with prosecutors as part of her guilty plea to two misdemeanor counts of doing campaign work on county time. Prosecutors have recommended no jail time for Wink.

Her charges stem from the two-year old secret John Doe investigation that's focused on several former aides and associates of Walker's.

Wink's lawyer, Peter Wolff, said there were "certain terms of the prosecution agreement that need to be addressed." He declined to elaborate. Wink is frustrated with the delays resolving her case and remains supportive of Walker, Wolff said.

Wink declined to speak to reporters after a court hearing before Judge Daniel Konkol.

Wink worked on fundraisers for Walker in 2009 and 2010 while at her taxpayer funded county job, according to a criminal complaint. She quit in May 2010 after admitting to the Journal Sentinel that she had spent time at work posting online comments in support of Walker and critical of his opponents in the governor's race - former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann, a fellow Republican, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the Democrat challenging Walker in the June 5 recall.

Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski said outside the courtroom where Wink's hearing was held that Walker should address whether he was aware of campaign activity that took place in the county executive's office and if he is directly or indirectly helping pay for the criminal defense of any former aides.