Dennis Troha and Jim Doyle's Dirty Deals

We have another person charged in a federal case involving contributions to Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle's campaign.

Georgia Thompson was the first. She was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Dennis Troha is the second person connected to Jim Doyle to be indicted for dirty dealings.

A Kenosha millionaire who had spearheaded a proposed $808 million Indian casino was charged Thursday with illegally funneling $100,000 in contributions through his children to the campaign of Gov. Jim Doyle and other political funds and then lying about it to the FBI.

Dennis Troha, 60, who made his fortune in trucking, is charged in an eight-page federal indictment with fraud and making a materially false statement to investigators. If convicted of both charges, Troha could face up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, but under federal sentencing guidelines likely would get a much shorter sentence.

According to the indictment:

• Over the course of two campaign cycles, Troha directed $100,000 from a company he controlled, Johnson Houston Partners, to his children, who almost immediately gave the identical amount to political campaigns including the governor's in 2002 and 2006.

• He failed to reveal "the true nature of financial transactions" to state casino regulators.

• Troha lied about the contributions during a lengthy Jan. 12 interview with FBI agents.

Troha has long supported Doyle, who as governor has unilateral veto power over any off-reservation casino. Troha, who advised the Doyle campaign, held at least one fund-raiser and was asked in 2005 by a Doyle campaign official to raise money for the governor's re-election.

Troha, who stood to make $88 million over seven years from the proposed casino, abruptly announced Friday that he agreed to be bought out of the deal to open an off-reservation casino to be owned by the Menominee tribe. On Saturday, the Journal Sentinel reported Troha was the subject of a federal investigation.

Troha and 12 family members have donated $200,000 to Doyle since he first ran for governor five years ago, campaign records show, and sometimes many of them wrote checks on the same day. Troha also played a significant role in sponsoring both of Doyle's inauguration celebrations.

Doyle is a hypocrite.

When he unveiled his ethics reform package, Doyle said:

“Throughout my career in law enforcement and government, one of my strongest beliefs has been in the importance of strengthening the ethics system in government. This bipartisan reform we are offering today will continue the important work begun by my administration to ensure that citizens can have confidence in government. It will tighten restrictions on lobbying, advance the cause of public financing, and address fundraising during the budget process. This bipartisan package is an important next step and I urge leaders in both parties to work with me to pass it into law. Inspiring confidence in government is vital for our state, our citizens and our future – and we must not miss this opportunity.”

What a load!

It's awfully hard for Doyle to present himself as ethical when his people and his donors are being indicted and one is already sitting in prison.

Although Doyle vows to return the dirty money from Troha if he is convicted, this still reflects poorly on Doyle.

There's no question that Doyle can be bought. It's not an illusion or a smear campaign by his political enemies. It's being verified in court.

I'd like to know what tainted money Doyle would return in the event that Troha follows down Thompson's road to prison.

All the money that Troha put into Doyle's hands had a pay-to-play purpose.

And Troha's huge contributions to Doyle's inaugural festivities weren't given because the millionaire likes a good party.