Judge blocks John Doe investigation in Wis.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A federal judge has blocked a secret investigation into possible illegal coordination between conservative groups and recent recall campaigns in Wisconsin.

U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa issued the preliminary injunction Tuesday.

The conservative organization Club for Growth filed a federal lawsuit in February, arguing the probe amounts to harassment and violates conservatives’ free speech rights.

Randa agreed and ordered the prosecutors to stop conducting the so-called John Doe investigation. The judge also ordered the prosecutors to return all property seized in the investigation and to destroy all copies of information obtained in the probe.

Club for Growth lead attorney David Rivkin says the decision will help begin restoring the group’s constitutionally protected rights.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm did not immediately respond to an email for comment Tuesday night.