Legal fight: Wis. Club for Growth sues state elections board

MADISON (AP) — Conservative group Wisconsin Club for Growth has filed a lawsuit against the state board that oversees elections, arguing that it exceeded its authority and violated the group's free speech rights by investigating "virtually every conservative-leaning group in Wisconsin."

The lawsuit was filed Friday in Waukesha County Circuit Court.

It adds another layer to the already complex legal fight being waged by targets of the probe that focuses on Gov. Scott Walker's recall campaign and a host of conservative groups.

U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa earlier this month sided with Wisconsin Club for Growth and ordered the investigation halted, saying it was a violation of the group's free speech rights. That decision has been appealed.

A spokesman for the Government Accountability Board, the target of the latest lawsuit, declined to comment.