The Wisconsin State Ethics Commission has raised allegations against Donald Trump's joint fundraising committee and GOP state Rep. Janel Brandtjen for allegedly participating in a campaign finance scheme to benefit the 2022 primary challenge of Speaker Robin Vos. Records obtained by WisPolitics indicate that at least $40,000 was directed towards Vos' challenger, Adam Steen, who eventually lost to Vos by 260 votes.

The commission has recommended local district attorneys investigate and press charges against Brandtjen, Steen, the Save America Joint Fundraising Committee, and eight individuals associated with the scheme. The referrals accuse the individuals of committing felonies in violation of Wisconsin's campaign finance laws.

The investigation found that there was an arrangement between Steen, the county parties, and others to send contributions exceeding the $1,000 limit for individual donations to the Langlade County GOP. Donors were instructed to include "63" in the memo line, representing the district Vos represents. The Langlade County GOP then forwarded these funds or used them for in-kind donations to benefit Steen's campaign.

In total, more than $40,000 was identified as contributions from the Langlade County GOP to Steen's campaign, which raised $174,129 in 2022. State campaign finance reports corroborated that the party gave Steen's campaign $44,702 between July 7 and November 8 of that year.

The Save America Joint Fundraising Committee, which is the primary fundraising vehicle for Trump's 2024 campaign and his leadership PAC, was also implicated in the allegations. The commission found probable cause that the committee and its "agents" had violated Wisconsin's campaign finance laws by attempting to evade donation limits and using unlimited transfers to benefit specific candidates.

These recommendations for prosecution present potential legal complications for Trump, who previously clashed with Speaker Vos in 2022 over efforts to overturn Wisconsin's 2020 presidential election results. The commission's referrals seek to hold accountable those involved in the campaign finance scheme and highlight the importance of enforcing transparency and integrity in political fundraising practices.