For an explanation on why our media cooperative chose to run this article, please read our editorial: http://wcmcoop.com/members/editorial-on-integrity/
[Editor's note: What follows is one woman's account of the Scott Walker she knew at Marquette University. To the extent possible we have verified its accuracy, including the accuracy of details not printed here in order to protect the identities of the people involved. All of the elements are consistent: the principals were at Marquette University when the incidents recounted here allegedly happened, and "Ruth" did have a baby shortly thereafter. However, attempts to reach "Ruth" and her first husband have been unsuccessful, as phone numbers listed for each have been disconnected, and so far we have not been able to independently verify Bernadette's account.]
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“First off, let me be clear, set the stage here … I’ve had a high level of integrity all the way back to my early days as a kid when I earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and have shown that during my time in the State Assembly, as the County Executive, and now as the Governor of the State of Wisconsin. I will continue to have high integrity long after I’m in this position and long after this whole process is complete.” –Scott Walker
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Bernadette Gillick was a college freshman in 1988 when she first met Scott Walker. It was spring semester, and she had just transferred to Marquette University. She was assigned a room in O’Donnell Hall (then a women’s dormitory), which she shared with her new roommate, Ruth (not her real name). Ruth was dating Scott Walker, who was 20 at the time, and, according to Bernadette, Ruth was deeply in love with him.
Midway through that spring semester, Bernadette alleges, Ruth found out she was pregnant. She informed her boyfriend, Scott, and initially he was supportive. That support changed to callous indifference for his girlfriend’s predicament after Scott informed his parents of the pregnancy.
Bernadette reports that at this point Scott began denying that he was the father of the baby, and when Ruth said she was considering an abortion, he claimed he didn’t care, as he wasn’t the father anyway.
Bernadette remembers being present when Ruth was dealing with the wrath of Scott’s mother, who allegedly admonished Ruth for trying to “ruin [her son's] reputation.”
“I supported her [Ruth] as he [Scott] went from encouraging her to get an abortion, to telling me it was in my best interest to keep my mouth shut, to denying that he was the father and having his own mother call her and tell her to stop erroneously accusing her son of paternity,” Bernadette recounts.
It was a “horrible time” for her friend. “Imagine her being 18 years old and pregnant, walking around Marquette’s Jesuit Catholic campus with her boyfriend denying he was the father,” says Bernadette.
All this was taking place while Walker was running for student body president.
If Bernadette’s story is true, Ruth – and eventually their child – were just a few of the people who got in the way of Walker’s quest for power.
After consulting with her family, Ruth decided against an abortion. Bernadette was with Ruth in the hospital for the birth of her child later that year (and says Walker was not present), and later stood up as a bridesmaid in Ruth’s 1992 marriage to another man. She says Walker eventually had to concede that he was the father, after the birth and paternity test.
Why did Bernadette come forward with this story now?
Dr. Bernadette Gillick is now a college professor at a major Midwestern university. Through her attorney, Mike Fargione, she issued a statement: “It is rare that you will ever hear from me on issues of politics, as I am a firm believer that most politics are local and can be as local as our own kitchen tables. But I’m asking you to consider what I have to share …”
Over the phone, Bernadette recounted how she watched a recent televised debate between Scott Walker and Tom Barrett. As he talked about his “lifelong integrity” her anger grew. This was a man who had abandoned his pregnant young girlfriend — completely turned his back on her at the most fragile point in her life. She notes his “now-convenient ‘pro-life’ proclamations” after burying his past “indiscretion.” Says Bernadette, “I cannot listen to his lies anymore … I cannot dream of how anyone would support such an evil man. Once a man shows that he has no soul, there is nothing more.”
Despite repeated attempts to contact Walker and his campaign staff for comments, only one person responded to our request. Former campaign staffer Luke Fuller refused to comment, saying he no longer works for the Walker campaign and cannot reveal the source of his current employment.
Is it possible to use avatars here, or will we all remain ghostly shadows with slightly bad hair?
Yes
To truly prove or disprove this, don’t rely on ONLINE court records. They are NOT thorough! Go IN PERSON to the county the mother of the child resided in and request the record at family court. There may be a charge for the search, but you will finally get an answer either way.
That is of course assuming that Walker didn’t get the record sealed
Glenn. Here is the Co-op’s response to you. I haven’t even read it. I have nothing to do with any of this and sincerely apologize for exposing your reputation to something like this.
Dear Dr. Barry:
We have taken down your article from our website, but your quotes will remain intact in the story based on Dr. Gillick’s rememberance, since they were previously published not only on our website, but on countless others as well.
The word “citizens” in Wisconsin Citizens Media Coop has two meanings: Citizen journalists and providing a venue for the voice of the citizens. The second meaning is the spirit in which we published both your article and the one based on Dr. Gillick’s remembrance of Scott Walker. Like you, Dr. Gillick is a credible first person witness to the events that she described. She stands by her story. We helped get your opinion out to over 15,000 readers.
While we understand your desire to distance yourself from our organization and honor that by removing your piece from our website, we do not practice or condone censorship. Removing references to an article you published that is now fully in the public domain would be a serious breach of that principle.
Additionally, part of our decision to print Dr. Gillick’s material was based on the content and theme of your article. We might not have published Dr. Gillick’s piece if there weren’t already allegations of serious breaches of integrity by Walker during this exact same moment in time.
In the end, we appreciate your contributions, and your concerns. We welcome additional collaboration with you in the future if you are so inclined.
Sincerely,
Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative
Glen Barry
2:45 PM (1 minute ago)
to michael
TO: WCMC
I provided a first hand account of events I witness personally with substantive supporting documentation. Nothing like an anonymous WCMC author writing of a person, who knew a person, who says of walker. They are not the same!
If you are going to place a quote of mine in an article that I do not support, could you spell my name right at least? I had been providing traffic to you, and had hoped to do more content in the future. So then without my knowledge you link my serious piece to this crap without asking if I minded?
Sure, you can quote anyone you like, some are just professional, decent, nice enough to ask if their colleagues mind – particularly when I have published with you taking a leap of faith, and we are supposedly on the same side. That is the way I am thanked? Forced to be quoted in an article that is libelous and links me to scurrilous rumors that could threaten my hard earned reputation for truthfulness.
Shame on you, acting like a bunch of punks.
Dr. Glen Barry
PS…to all the Walker-backers….whether this is true or false, we have PLENTY of other reasons to want him GONE! It’s really time you got your heads out of the sand to see how horrible he is!
A reporter followed the entire story. He found the woman that the person in this story could not. She says that the story is unfounded.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/03/1096950/-Woman-Denies-Walker-Fathered-Baby-JSO-Reporter-Daniel-Bice
IT’S A TRAP!
on the other hand…
Me thinks “Chris” doth protest too much.
This is just the tiniest tip of the giant iceberg of reasons to be rid of Scott Walker.
Let’s do this thing, fellow Badgers!
Vote for Tom Barrett and end this divide and conquer mess that Walker has created.
Let’s do this thing, fellow Badgers!
Well how much fun can an electorate have two days before a big election?
Follow the link to FairlyConservative.com. I am no shill for anyone. I did however, successfully verify via Twitter that Daniel Bice is indeed Daniel Bice. The dude has a journalistic resume longer than my leg. If he says there’s no story here, there’s no story.
I have also been in email contact with Dr. Barry in the last week. If he’s ticked, I’d pay attention.
Now, it’s my understanding that someone’s Dem model has Barrett winning by 90,000 votes. Go chase that one instead.
Ah, the smell of desperation! It’s a good thing there wasn’t any credibility at stake here or the fabrication of this tabloid fodder would have tarnished it.
I mentioned ealrier that this is the tiniest tip of the iceberg of reasons to vote out Walker.
This is a much bigger reason:
“I stand by my reporting 100 percent,” Shuster said in the conference call. “It’s clear to me that he is, in fact, a target in a federal investigation.”
http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=36926&sid=fde5b08ba03e551e673cd61cbb8dcb78
The feds are gonna lead Walker off in cuffs as governor of Wisconsin. Unless they take too long, then its gonna be the state authorities. Lets make sure that doesnt need to happen.
RECALL WALKER!
It seems apparent to all that Governor Walker is going down either because of the recall or the state or the federal probes.
The latest polls show Tom Barrett with the momentum and Bill Clinton couldnt have hurt that. So ya got the recall.
Then there are all the probes with Walker aides granted immunity so that they’ll testify. The State probe goes into Walker’s shenanigans in Milwaukee. The federal probe also goes into allegations of abuse while Walker has been governor. Walker has a legal defense fund that he cant spend on anyone but himself or his aides. He has admitted he hasnt spent any of that money on his aides. Yet he added to it for a total of $160k.
Thats a lot of criminal defense attorney hours! So there are the criminal probes.
We need to also focus on the recall of the lt. governor! Walker is burnt toast.
“[i]We hope to build the coop into a radically democratic media organization that reflects the needs of our community for information and that can serve as a model of grassroots news gathering for people in other parts of the country. In order to do this sustainably for the long-term, we need material, moral and community support.[i]
With nonsense postings like this, your toast.
How could anybody support Walker? The dude is a major creep-fest. Nobody says Barrett is a liar. Nobody says Barrett is under investigation by the police. Nobody says Barrett got a girl pregnant in college and tried to get her aborted.
Isn’t saying that Bice found the story “completely false”?
His comment says the woman denied the story. That’s a long way form saying “completely false”. That means it is “she said – she said”.
If Bice had said ‘she showed by the paternity test results’, etc, then OK. But he didn’t say anything close to that.
Sorry, should read
“Isn’t saying that Bice found the story “completely false” overstating it?
Well put, and completely aree.
“Agree.” Apparently I am karmically unable to spell properly on this forum, lol.
Wow Walker is an evil lying republican bag of crap, I pray the asshole gets recalled.
walker is just an evil person a pile of trash.
According to wikepedia, it does in fact state that walker had a child with prior girlfriend in 1989. I read that a long time ago.
False.
I love the smell of desperation. When this sort of unsubstantiated garbage starts coming out you KNOW the left is getting panicky.
Walker is going to win in a blowout and lead the way to a Conservative Landslide in November.
Thank God for Obama, we could not have done this without him! Way to go Demos!!!!
While the woman in question, “Ruth” denies that Walker is the father of her child, ask yourself this question: If it were you, would you admit it and run the risk of many major media outlets camped on your doorstep? If I were her, I’d probably deny it too, no matter what the truth is and how much I despise SW. And besides, if it is true, who knows what the child may or may not have been told about his biological father – would you want to potentially find out information in this manner? Or, a third possibility: she got paid off at some point in time and is keeping her mouth shut based on a non-disclosure agreement…
So what you are saying is, it is impossible, even for the eye-witnesses to deny the truth of this story? It is so true it is truer than the facts?
Now I know why you people believe in manmade global warming fake science.
However, attempts to reach “Ruth” and her first husband have been unsuccessful, as phone numbers listed for each have been disconnected, and so far we have not been able to independently verify Bernadette’s account.
I am a lifelong Democrat who favors Barrett and opposes Walker. I am also a graduate of UW-Madison’s journalism program. I was employed at three newspapers in an 11-year reporting career, after which I went onto other things.
Your account is libelous, unethical, and one-sided. You published a single-source rumor without verification of the pertinent allegation. You combined it with stories of misdeeds that, at best, were only tangentially related. There’s no rebuttal or reply from Walker or his friends.
In short, you’ve produced one more piece of propaganda. You’re no different than Breitbart or the other right-wing blogs.
I am sure many of the outraged voices on this topic were just as indignant when we had a President that was a serial sexual predator.
Would an academic lie? Let’s ask Pocahontas Liz or ole Barry himself.
Well I hope that Dr. Bernadette Gillick enjoys her lible lawsuit that I am sure will be filed against her and this left wing smear site.
Oh did you know that Tom Barrett actually did hire a couple of already convicted felons? Politifact wisconsin has the scoop.
They verified their story though instead of just spreading a smear by a left wing college professor.
Scott Walker is one sick puppy.
Er, please check your sources. Scott KEVIN Walker is the governor of Wisconsin.
Wikipedia: “He enrolled at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1986. He attended college for four years but never graduated, working part-time for IBM selling warranties.”
Mr. Walker’s history is hardly untarnished (not that that would disqualify him for office. . .)
So it has now been confirmed from the actual mother of the child in question that this ENTIRE STORY IS A LIE. Who confirmed this?
The right wing blog Daily Kos.
So busted.
The lies are finally catching up to Walker.
What a bunch of F*cking liars.. http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/06/bummer-democrats-walker-love-child-story-falls-apart-in-a-little-over-an-hour/
Dem’s can’t win using honesty, they have to lie, still, cheat, intimidate, use fraud, etc. PATHETIC
But what can be confirmed is that Obama was a lawless pothead in high school and college. I guess the lefties on this blog are going to recall him now?
COMFIRMED! Entire story in this article is a complete LIE. Pathetic.
Keep the lies coming1 YOU FOLKS ARE NOW THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. obama must be so proud of you.
Does anyone else find it hilarious that it was DailyKos that debunked this libelous story?
Fish gotta swim. Birds gotta fly. Liberals gotta lie.
This is a true story and it’s a shame that the public may never have full access to verification. Dr. Gillick is one of my best friends, and you’ll never find a person with more integrity and more love for the state of Wisconsin. That Ruth has felt she cannot speak the truth, even though it means tarnishing the reputation of the friend who stood with her in the hospital while her father of her child would not, points to the power of intimidation. I know this story is true, and I stand behind Dr. Gillick 100%.
Please, support your friend and try to forgive the hateful & ignorant comments. I apologize for the foolishness of these people to slander her, as if she’d profit in some way from telling us the truth. I, for one, value her courage. Please, give her our thanks.
“Desperate?” Walker’s running (recently-withdrawn) ads showing Barrett and a deceased two-year-old child.
All’s fair in the sick world of politics. If the story about “Ruth’s” child is untrue, then Walker doesn’t have to worry about it.
Personally, I’m more interested in the evidence that Walker’s office engaged in non-stop campaigning from state offices.
If I engage in political activity while at my state office, I face losing my job; I don’t see why Walker should be any exception. Goose, gander.
Poor Dr Gillick
A typical of Public University Professotrix.
Tenured overpaid incompetents.
But not bothering to get the father’s name right? Exposing oneself to a slam dunk fasle light lawsuit ? Really, Prof, that’s a bit much. Next time, let a guy handle it.
For all of the Dem idiots who believed this story and the ones who knew it was B.S. and ran with it anyway, how pathetic ARE you?? How desperate must you be to perpetuate lies like this?? LOL
As for the “integrity” of this site, if it had any, this story would no longer be posted.
You have a valid argument against Scott Walker. Why taint your message with slime?
As if the shameless lie and innuendo isn’t enough, as an Eagle Scout, I find your use of the official Boy Scout logo despicable. Worse than that, really. Though I’ve alerted the BSA, the Wisconsin Media Coop should take it down without prompting. Boy Scouts had nothing to do with the story. Leave the kids out of your politicking.
Funny you should mention a couple of dollars. Given everything that has been stated regarding this topic I think the simplest explanation is that there was a settlement payment which stipulated that “Ruth” deny Walker’s paternity. This seems particularly likely given the DEEP POCKETS of Walkers out of state supporters. How would Dr. Gillick have all of the other details right and somehow be mistaken about the identity of the boyfriend? That simply makes no sense. The story makes a whole lot of sense if there was a payoff. And considering the other instances of threats and intimidation from Walker supporters during this recall process – vandalism, physical threats, various instances of bullying recall volunteers – given all that it is also understandable that she would not want to become the target of these people. Sadly, Dr. Gillick now will.
That is right kbman. I went to college almost 30 years ago and the one thing I remember was who was dating who.
I think that Republicans are so fearful that this must be true is causing them to act a little silly on this website.
Wisconsin needs to recall Walker!!!!!!!!!!
It is my understanding that the Wisconsin Citizens Media Coop is a place for people to get their stories out to the public, it is a sort of alternative to the main stream media. If the MJS or WSJ had this story and verified it, they might not choose to run it just because it looks incredibly partisan. They would lose republican leaning advertisers, and subscribers. The WCMC is not beholden to paid advertisers. It can run a story like this without fear that they will be boycotted or shut down. The story has been floating around for sometime, there is substantial research backing up the credibility of the person reporting this story. This is not a “one person’s word against anothers’ ” this is a credible person’s word, and their lawyer, backed up by others’ accounts, and significant circumstantial evidence. Reporters are allowed to keep their sources secret, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have any.
A few odds and end…
The notion that a professor at a major university wouldn’t risk their job or reputation; did you ever hear about Jerry Sandusky? Perhaps you think the Duke Lacrosse team was found guilty?
It’s one thing to suggest the story had enough validity to go ahead and publish. It’s another to have various aspects of the story corrected, unverified, and devalidated; yet not once actually correct the record. Mistakes happen, the decision to not learn from and correct them is a conscious action.
I do doubt you’ll suffer any legal ramifications. I just don’t see the value in it. But in that, its a shame. Because with the ramification and the previously demonstrated weakness to learn from mistakes; this forum is bound to repeat this effort in the future without recognizing the shame.
Yeah Kbman. i also have it ob good authority that the Koch brothers have “Ruth” on ice at a secret undisclosed location where she is being fitted with an explosive vest by Dr. Karl Rove.
And Sofia, you know it’s not like he was just another dorky college kid, he was a high-profile student – in fact, one of the highest profile students at Marquette at that time. He was running for class president and showed up to class everyday in a 3 piece suit – hard to mistake him for someone else.
Furthermore, Dr. Gillick is not just some guy in a diner making these accusations. She has a professional position and stands to lose a great deal if she were lying about this. I find “Ruth’s” denial to be questionable, and I find Daniel Bice more than a bit disingenuous to claim that her saying this settles the matter. I thought he was supposed to be some kind of hot shot investigative reporter. Well do some investigating then. Look into the possibility that “Ruth” had a sudden financial windfall, possibly prior to Walker’s run for governor in 2010. That was when he became a high-profile Koch asset. It is easy to see them assisting him in tying up any loose ends that might be out there, so to speak.
I hope Walker holds Barrett down and gives him a haircut.
GO WALKER!!!
This is one woman’s account of her experience with Walker in College — It has been researched, and fact and people have backed the story up. It seems unlikely to me that the woman reporting this had two pregnant college roommates that she was personally involved with and that she mixed up their stories. Also, it would be strange if a woman got pregnant by a nasty guy and was mistreated, but then her friends mixed him up with the current governor because they have the same name. I know people with the same names, and I don’t mix them up.
I have the same name and have had a similiar situation- I would not marry but after proven paternity I choose to pay child support and help raise my daughter- turns out her mom still tainted the child against me and I have had no further contact with her since she was 14 and today she would be 22 – T Scott Walker
This is a strong allegation, and there is fairly good corroborating evidence. Because it looks so negative on Walker, I don’t think that a mainstream media outlet would publish this. Also, the John Doe Investigation is a way bigger deal IMO.
I guess we’ll know the truth after everyone involved with this report lose the libel lawsuit. Of course, if they don’t lose…or Walker never sues, then I guess that says it all.