Scott Walker had second brief encounter with accused Russian spy, court filing says

Scott Walker had second brief encounter with accused Russian spy, court filing says


https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/09/08/scott-walker-had-second-brief-encounter-accused-russian-spy/1244899002/


Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Published 8:52 p.m. CT Sept. 8, 2018 | Updated 10:55 p.m. CT Sept. 8, 2018


MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker had a second brief interaction with a woman now accused of being a Russian spy on the day he launched his unsuccessful presidential bid in 2015, according to a new court filing.

The GOP governor acknowledged in July that he briefly spoke with accused foreign agent Maria Butina and had his photo taken with her and a Russian official at a National Rifle Association convention in April 2015.

But the new filing says the two had a second encounter three months later, when he announced his presidential run in Waukesha.

Walker is referred to in the filing as “Political Candidate 1,” but the filing clearly describes him with references to when he made his presidential announcement.

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“After recounting Political Candidate 1’s speech, the defendant reported that she had a ‘short personal contact’ with Political Candidate 1, with whom she had had previous personal contact, as well as one of his three advisors in matters of international politics,” the filing by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Kenerson says.

Before and after Walker's speech, supporters had a chance to shake his hand or briefly approach him.

“The government submitted this filing to show that she makes contradictory statements involving what is clearly a ridiculous version of events," Walker spokesman Brian Reisinger said in a statement. "This was an event where hundreds of people could have found an opportunity to shake hands at the rope-line or other chance moments."


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