MILWAUKEE, March 20 (UPI) -- An aide to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker when he was Milwaukee County executive wants her misconduct trial moved to the rural county where she lives.
Kelly Rindfleisch pleaded not guilty Tuesday to four counts of misconduct in office, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. She allegedly did campaign work during hours she was paid as Walker's chief of staff.
Walker, a Republican who was embroiled last year in a big battle over a law stripping public employees of most bargaining rights, is under fire on several fronts. He is likely to face a recall election within a few weeks, the newspaper said.
Rindfleisch was in the county job from mid-January 2010 until November. She resigned shortly after Walker was elected governor.
While the county has a residency law, Rindfleisch continued to own a home in Columbus in Columbia County, 28 miles from the state capital. She said she was living at the house of Jim Villa, another Walker staffer.
Franklyn Gimbel, Rindfleisch's lawyer, said Tuesday her "interests would be better protected" in Columbia County. Milwaukee County District Attorney Scott Chisholm is a Democrat while Columbia County prosecutor Jane Kohlwey is a Republican.
A judge plans to rule March 30 on the change of venue motion.
