JOHN DOE: New filings detail need for investigation secrecy

MADISON (AP) — Court filings made public related to the John Doe investigation into Gov. Scott Walker's recall campaign and other conservative groups shed light on why prosecutors wanted to keep the probe secret.

Prosecutors on Wednesday filed briefs in federal court in support of their request that a judge put on hold his earlier order halting the probe. That came in a case brought by Wisconsin Club for Growth, one of the investigation's targets.

An exhibit filed with the court Wednesday is a partially redacted copy of a petition submitted in July 2013 to start the secret investigation in Iowa County against Eric O'Keefe, a member of Wisconsin Club for Growth's board.

The filing says the investigation should be secret because targets are "well placed" and publicity could harm the effort.