Politics & Government

GOP Volunteer Accused of Trying to Sell Campaign Secrets

Nineteen-year-old Erik Turner tells TV station that he sent emails to Democrats as a joke.

A teenager who has volunteered at the Republican Party of Waukesha County’s headquarters on Pearl Street is facing investigation after Democrats allege he attempted to sell them campaign secrets, according to media reports.

FOX6 News reports that Erik Turner sent two messages to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin stating that he had information for the group trying to recall Gov. Scott Walker. Turner’s Facebook page had a picture of Turner posing with Walker, according to the station.

However, the 19-year-old told Today's TMJ4 that he sent an email offering to sell campaign secrets as a prank.

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The Wisconsin Republican Party issued a statement to FOX6 stating it did not condone Turner’s actions.

Graeme Zielinski, the spokesman for the state Democratic party, called Turner a “patsy” in a statement he made to a Politiscoop blog:

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 “It's a funny shop they run there with the Waukesha Republican Party. I fail to believe that some 19-year-old would act alone to try to entrap Democratic officials, using specific knowledge of highly sensitive information.”

The blog also has posted copies of the search warrant affidavit filed in Milwaukee County Cirucuit Court.


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