A Milwaukee gay couple is facing felony charges following an undercover investigation into employees who worked for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker when Walker was serving as a Milwaukee County executive.
Timothy Russell, a former deputy chief of staff to Walker, is facing two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of embezzlement for allegedly stealing from two political campaigns and a local group that honors veterans.
His partner, Brian Pierick, is facing two felony counts of child enticement and causing a child to expose his genitals after investigators seized the couple's iPhones and computers in the embezzlement investigation and found explicit communications Pierick allegedly had with a 17-year-old boy. According to a complaint filed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney, Pierick allegedly exchanged illicit text messages and pictures with the boy, who told Pierick he was 19. The complaint goes on to allege that Pierick sent the boy a picture of himself with Russell.
Russell could face up to 10 years in prison for the alleged theft of more than $10,000 from the American Heritage Preservation Society, Inc., which hosts an annual veteran event.
Pierick's charges could come with a $100,000 fine and 25 years in prison.
Russell's attorney did not respond immediately to a request to comment.