The Latest: Schimel defends description of ethics probe

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on judge who released investigation report into John Doe probe (all times local):

4:50 p.m.

Attorney General Brad Schimel says evidence collected looking into whether Republicans were illegally campaigning on state time was done under the state’s John Doe law.

In a statement Monday, he says revealing details about that investigation was critical to his investigation into a leak of secret documents.

The judge overseeing the case said Monday he should not have released the names of those involved in what Schimel called “John Doe III” because no one was charged. Jefferson County Circuit Judge William Hue says it doesn’t matter whether it was a John Doe probe or an ethics investigation, he should have kept the names of 35 Republicans targeted secret.

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3:45 p.m.

A judge says he “feels bad” that he released details of a previously unknown ethics investigation that closed with no charges being filed.

Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge William said Monday that he misunderstood what was being described in a report submitted to him by Attorney General Brad Schimel. Schimel called the investigation “John Doe III” but it was actually an ethics investigation by the former Government Accountability Board, not a John Doe probe.

Hue says the names of people investigated that were included in Schimel’s report should not have been made public since no charges were brought. Hue says he doesn’t blame Schimel for not asking to keep the names secret. But Hue says he wishes he had redacted the names.

Schimel’s spokesman says he hopes to have a response by the end of Monday.

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2:08 p.m.

The judge who authorized the release of Attorney General Brad Schimel’s report on records leaked from an investigation into Gov. Scott Walker’s recall campaign says he shouldn’t have allowed details about a separate ethics probe to be made public.

Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge William Hue told the Wisconsin State Journal on Monday that Schimel never raised any question about whether releasing information from a closed ethics investigation was permitted.

Hue says if you’ve been investigated by a government entity that’s decided not to prosecute, there is an expectation that would not be made public.

The ethics investigation was launched by the former Government Accountability Board and labeled by Schimel as “John Doe III” even though it was an ethics probe and not a John Doe investigation.