John Doe Investigator Has Walker Recall Sign at His Home, Group Says

A lead investigator in the John Doe investigation into aides to Gov. Scott Walker during his stint as Milwaukee county executive has a "Recall Walker" sign in the yard of his Wauwatosa home, according to a conservative watchdog group.

In a story published Monday morning by Media Trackers, a home identified as that of David Budde, who works for District Attorney John Chisholm, appears in photos with the address number blurred out.

Media Trackers' writer Brian Sikma noted that along with the recall sign out front there is a "Blue Fist" union sign in the front door.

Sikma wrote: "The news could call into question the present impartiality of the probe at a time when Democrat gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett and his allies have begun to use the issue as a top talking point."

At an appearance Monday, Barrett said that he does not know Budde and could not comment on the reported sign.

Later Monday, according to a story by Journal Sentinel reporter Dan Bice, Chisholm defended his chief investigator as fair and impartial, and said that the sign was placed by his wife, not him.

"David Budde did not sign the recall petition and has conducted himself professionally and independently in this investigation, as he has done in numerous criminal investigations throughout  his 26-year career as a law enforcement officer," Chisholm said in a statement reported by Bice.

"Any decisions related to the John Doe investigation are based on the evidence and not the political views of any member of this office or their families," he added.

Media Trackers had earlier reported that 43 people working in Chisholm's office had signed recall petitions. David Budde was not among them.

Sikma reported that Budde's wife, Linda Budde, did sign the petition and also works in the county justice system, although not for Chisholm.

Bice reported that Linda Budde is a deputy court clerk for a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge.