Rindfleish asks appeals court for change of venue

(MILWAUKEE) A woman charged in the ongoing investigation of former aides to Gov. Scott Walker is asking an appeals court to move her case out of Milwaukee County.

Kelly Rindfleish was hired by then-Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker in 2010 and quickly promoted to his deputy chief of staff. The Milwaukee County district attorney alleges Rindfleish was using her county job to do political fundraising for Republican lieutenant governor candidate Brett Davis. The DA says Rindfleish was also in frequent contact with senior staff on Walker's gubernatorial campaign.

During the time in question, she was staying at the Milwaukee home of longtime Walker confidant Jim Villa to satisfy Milwaukee County's residency requirement. But Rindfleish never sold her home in Columbus. Her attorney argues that because of that the Milwaukee County district attorney has no authority to charge Rindfleish and that any case should be tried in Columbia County instead.

A circuit court judge rejected that argument. Now Rindfleish wants an appeals court to step in.

Barring a change of venue, Rindfleish's jury trial is scheduled for October. She's charged with four felonies and faces prison time if convicted.

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