Photo credit: University of Wisconsin System
On the Capitol: Investigators suspected Jim Villa, now top UW official, of misconduct. (Wisconsin State Journal, 8/18/2015)
To justify the warrants, investigators wrote that they suspected Villa had broken several laws, including misconduct in public office and solicitation of public employees to commit misconduct. They presented evidence of Villa’s involvement in both an alleged bid-rigging scheme and a political action committee that Walker aide Tim Russell was suspected of doing work for while on county time.
Of related interest:
On Politics: Longtime Scott Walker confidant named to new UW System job. (Wisconsin State Journal, 4/3/2014)
Jim Villa, a longtime friend and ally of Gov. Scott Walker, has been named vice president for university relations for the University of Wisconsin System.
“I’m excited about this,” System President Ray Cross said Wednesday. “I’m really glad he’s going to be working with us.”
Villa, 42, will earn an annual salary of $178,000 in the newly created position overseeing the System’s state and federal lobbying and communications efforts. [emphasis added]