Federal Court of Appeals in Chicago acted quickly Wednesday, on a filing by Wisconsin prosecutors. They sought immediate relief from a judge's order.
The prosecutors do not want to destroy information they've collected while examining ties between conservative funders and Gov. Walker's 2012 recall campaign.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa ordered investigators to halt their secret John Doe investigation, concluding it likely violated the free speech rights of at least one conservative group. The organization, Club For Growth, filed a federal lawsuit about three months ago. The group maintained its constitutional rights were being violated and it was being harassed.
Judge Randa also told prosecutors they must destroy all the material they've collected.
Less than a day later, Milwaukee DA John Chisholm asked the federal appeals court in Chicago to halt Randa's ruling, while the court battle continues and so the investigation can proceed.
The probe has reportedly been underway for many months, into whether Walker's campaign may have illegally coordinated campaign efforts with funders. The federal judge said he did not find any illegal activities.
In a previous John Doe investigation, several former aides and associates of Walker while he was Milwaukee County Executive, were charged with offenses.
His supporters insist political enemies are targeting him.
