Former Walker appointee to be sentenced for theft

MILWAUKEE — A former appointee of Gov. Scott Walker is set to be sentenced after he was convicted of stealing more than $51,000 intended to assist veterans and their families.

A jury convicted Kevin D. Kavanaugh in October of stealing at least $10,000 in a business setting. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $25,000 fine when he’s sentenced Friday morning.

As Milwaukee County executive, Walker had appointed Kavanaugh to head the county Veterans Service Commission. Prosecutors say Kavanaugh skimmed money from phony withdrawals from a veterans-service organization.

Defense attorney Christopher Hartley says there was no direct evidence that Kavanaugh spent the missing money or kept it for himself.

Kavanaugh is the fifth Walker aide or associate to be convicted as part of a secret probe.