Secret probe focuses on campaign coordination

MADISON (AP) — Court filings this week show that prosecutors in a secret investigation are looking into whether recent recall campaigns illegally coordinated their work with outside groups.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported Friday that the filings made in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee offer the clearest indication yet of the focus of the five-county investigation.

The filing suggests that "issue advocacy" must be reported as campaign contributions if it is done at the behest or in concert with a campaign. Such advocacy is not regulated because it stops short of expressly advocating for the election or defeat of a particular candidate.

The probe reportedly focuses on activity by conservative groups and Gov. Scott Walker's recall campaign.