Democrats urge Schimel to pay for motto coins

Democratic officials and lawmakers are calling on Attorney General Brad

Schimel to pick up the cost for commemorative coins that promote his agency’s new motto of “kicking ass every day.”

One Milwaukee Democrat has even drafted legislation that would slice Schimel’s annual salary by $10,000 a year to cover the cost of the 2,000 gold-plated brass medallions, which were paid with funds out of the state Department of Justice budget over the past 11⁄2 years. Schimel, a firstterm Republican, is paid $142,966 annually.

“The attorney general used real taxpayer money to buy fake money,” said state Rep. Daniel Riemer, who began circulating his draft plan to cut Schimel’s salary on Monday. “That, to me, is an egregious example of government waste.”

Riemer emphasized that the money that went for the metal tokens could have paid for a Wisconsin resident to cover tuition at a number of University of Wisconsin schools for a full year.

The third-term lawmaker said he would withdraw his proposal if Schimel agrees to reimburse the state for the challenge coins from either his own pocket or his campaign account. Schimel, who announced recently that he will run for a second term, has about $48,000 in his campaign account.

Of course, Democrats have no control of any branch of government in the state, so Riemer’s draft legislation will come across as little more than an idle threat.

And Schimel appears to be taking it that way.

Asked to respond to the proposed bill, Schimel spokesman Johnny Koremenos repeated his earlier assertions that these medallions serve an important purpose.

“These coins are ingrained in law enforcement and military cultures and a small gesture compared to the sacrifices made every day by the men and women serving on the front lines,” Koremenos said. “Similar to the citations and proclamations members of the Legislature have made for constituents, the attorney general feels it is important to recognize the accomplishments and public service of our bravest citizens.”

Records show DOJ officials paid nearly $10,000 in taxpayer dollars — $4.75 each, plus other costs — to Lexington Metal Products Corp. in Lithia, Fla., for two shipments of the coins with Schimel’s new motto on them. The 1.75inch gold-plated brass souvenirs read “Wisconsin Attorney General Brad D. Schimel” on one side and “Wisconsin Department of Justice: K.A.E.D.” on the other. Officials confirmed that the acronym stands for Kicking Ass Every Day.

Koremenos initially declined to answer questions about the coins, calling the issue “trivial.” Later, he defended both the coins and the motto, which he said is “the attorney general’s challenge to the team at DOJ and recognition of the amazing work done for the citizens of Wisconsin every day.”

The spokesman also emphasized that other officials, including former Attorney General

J.B. Van Hollen, had also used tax dollars on challenge coins.

Records show that Van Hollen bought three different medallions from Lexington Metal Products in 2013 and 2014. He bought 125 challenge coins bearing the name Crime Laboratory Bureau; 125 that said Wisconsin Attorney General: J.B. Van Hollen; and 1,000 with Crime Information Bureau on them. The total cost for those was $6,419.

In 2015, Schimel also bought another 300 coins stamped Training & Standards Bureau at a cost of $1,554.

Overall, DOJ officials have paid Lexington Metal Products more than $17,500 on challenge coins since 2013. Each medallion cost, on average, about $5.

Democrats were quick to criticize Schimel over using tax money on his “kick-ass” coins — especially in light of his budget request for more money for officer training, prosecuting internet crimes against children and alternative treatment programs.

“If you’re looking for gov’t waste and abuse, we found it,” state Rep. Mark

Spreitzer of Beloit wrote on Twitter. “And wasting tax dollars to create jobs in Florida, not Wisconsin.” State Sen. Jon Erpenbach of Madison added, “DA’s & Public Defenders need money & Schimel uses taxpayers $ for this? Can’t wait to get him before the finance committee.”