Rail CEO gets probation in election case

WEST BEND, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin railroad executive has been sentenced to two years probation for violating state campaign finance laws.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Washington County Circuit Judge James Pouros also sentenced William Gardner to 100 hours of community service at a charter school in Milwaukee.

Gardner is president and chief executive officer of Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co.

Prosecutors had charged Gardner with one count of excessive political contributions and one count of unlawful political contribution, both felonies.

They accused him of asking his employees to make tens of thousands of dollars in political contributions, including donations to Gov. Scott Walker, and then reimbursing his workers.

Gardner agreed in May to plead guilty to both counts in exchange for prosecutors’ recommendation that he serve two years on probation.

Information from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com