Assembly Passes Bill Ending Secret John Doe Probes

The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a Republican-backed bill that would do away with secret John Doe investigations into political misconduct.

The Assembly passed the bill 60-36 on Tuesday. The Senate moved one step away from final approval of the measure earlier Tuesday.

Republicans introduced the measure after Gov. Scott Walker and conservative groups were subject to a John Doe investigation that the state Supreme Court ended in July.

The bill would allow John Doe probes to be used for some high-end felonies, like drug crimes and murder. But they would no longer be allowed to look into misconduct in office, like bribery and campaign finance violations.

Democrats say doing away with John Does will open the door to more corruption by politicians.