Former Scott Walker aide sues for civil rights violations

One highly-secretive "John Doe" investigation of a former aide to Gov. Scott Walker may finally be brought to the public eye. Cindy Archer filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm for violating her civil liberties during investigations.

Archer is known as a key architect of Act 10, the "Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill" that restricts public unions' bargaining rights in the state and brought Walker to national attention. Starting in May 2010, Chisholm, a Democrat, investigated people like Archer for supporting the governor, Act 10 or other conservative reforms. But under Wisconsin law, targets of "John Doe" investigations remained secret.

Archer is seeking damages for violation of First Amendment free speech and association rights, Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure and Fifth Amendment rights, according to a press release.

The defendants' alleged actions include an armed raid on Archer's house in September 2011, seizure of personal emails and months of secret, aggressive interrogations. In addition to Chisholm, the complaint names as defendants David Budde, Bruce Landgraf, David Robles and Robert Stelter.