MADISON (WKOW) -- Sources confirmed for 27 News a person-of-interest in the destroying of a recall petition in Madison is a Darlington man, with no listed record of political activity or political donations.
The man has an advanced degree and no apparent criminal history. 27 News has been unable to reach this person-of-interest. Government accountability board director Kevin Kennedy said petition destruction or fraud is a felony.
Madison police spokesperson Joel DeSpain said a man ripped up a petition Thursday after stopping in a parking lane on Midvale Boulevard with what petition circulators believed was the intention to sign a petition to recall Governor Scott Walker.
"The man said, 'This is what I think of what you're doing," as he tore it up," a witness to what happened told 27 News. The witness spoke on the condition of anonymity because he feared retaliation if publicly identified.
DeSpain said the man drove a red pick up truck.
A volunteer at what's become known as a drive-up petition signing location said the people who had signed the destroyed petition have been contacted and signed in support of the recall again.
Kennedy said recent postings on social media discussed schemes for collecting signatures and not turning in petitions or destroying petitions.
Kennedy said in this politically-charged atmosphere, people on both sides of the recall effort need to observe the law.
"We live in a democratic society and we resolve our disputes in the ballot box."
