Plea hearing set for Walker’s former aide

Governor was subpoenaed to testify in Kelly Rindfleisch's trial

MADISON, Wis. — A Milwaukee County judge has scheduled a plea hearing for one of Gov. Scott Walker’s former aides to settle felony misconduct allegations.

Kelly Rindfleisch is scheduled to go to trial next week on four felony counts of misconduct in office. Her attorney, Franklyn Gimbel, has subpoenaed Walker to testify.

But online court records indicate Gimbel and Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf asked Judge David Hansher Tuesday to set up a plea hearing. Hansher scheduled the proceeding for Thursday.

Landgraf didn’t immediately return a message. Gimbel told The Associated Press in a telephone interview he can’t comment because he’s still negotiating with Landgraf.

Prosecutors have accused Rindfleisch of campaigning on county time during her stint as Walker’s deputy chief of staff while Walker was Milwaukee County executive.

Rindfleisch is one of six Walker associates facing charges that arose from a secret John Doe investigation.

If the judge accepts a plea deal, Rindfleisch wouldn’t go through a trial and Walker wouldn’t have to take the stand in the case.