Politics & Government

Investigation into Romney Sub Sandwich Bribe Allegations Nearly Done

District attorney says interviews should wrap up this week over whether GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan broke the law by handing out subs on Election Day in Waukesha.

The Waukesha County District Attorney’s office is continuing to look into the allegations that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was passing out sub sandwiches in exchange for votes on April 3.

District Attorney Brad Schimel told Patch in an email Monday morning investigators still “have a few more interviews that we hope to accomplish this week" before determining whether to file any charges in the matter.

Romney was joined by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, on Election Day at in Waukesha, where they were passing out the free sandwiches. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is as a result.

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Democrats filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Board, the state agency that oversees elections in Wisconsin, and with the district attorney's office. Since the party is alleging that a crime was committed, the GAB is not looking into the case.

shows Romney and Ryan handing out the sub sandwiches. Additionally, a video edited by the state Democratic Party shows Romney leading a rally and telling supporters to go vote, and “If you want another sandwich, there are more back there.”

Find out what's happening in Waukeshawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

State law prohibits offering something valued at more than $1 in exchange for a vote.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate said it’s a clear-cut case of election bribery.

“We have pretty clear video evidence of Mitt Romney and Congressman Ryan handing out free sandwiches, and at the same time encouraging people to go cast a ballot,” Tate said on Election Day. “It’s very clearly against Wisconsin election law.”

However, Romney told WISN12 news the allegations are ridiculous and it’s a laughable stunt by the Democrats to distract from President Barack Obama’s policies that have resulted in “record job losses and skyrocketing gas prices.”

Shorewood Patch editor Adam McCoy contributed to this report.


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