Judge says investigation involving Walker open

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The judge overseeing the investigation into former aides of Gov. Scott Walker says the probe remains open.

Walker said on Tuesday that he hoped the so-called “John Doe” investigation would end as early as this week.

But retired Waukesha County Judge Neal Nettesheim told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from his home Wednesday “that would be pure conjecture.”

Nettesheim says, “The John Doe is not completed. It is still open.”

The investigation began in May 2010 and has resulted in six people being charged with crimes and four convictions. One person, Tim Russell, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors in his felony embezzlement case and has a plea hearing set for Thursday.

Another former Walker aide Darlene Wink has a Jan. 10 sentencing hearing.