Wisconsin Lawmakers Considering Fine Against Prank Callers

According to a report in Wisconsin’s Badger Herald, two of the state’s Republican lawmakers are pursuing legislation that would fine prank phone callers up to $10,000.

The bill, which was reportedly introduced before the end of the last legislative passage, is coming into consideration after a prank phone call embarrassed Governor Scott Walker. A journalist from the alternative website the Buffalo Beast pretended to be billionaire conservative David Koch and posted the resulting phone conversation with the governor online.

The legislation is being spearheaded by state senators Mary Lazich and Mark Honadel. According to the Herald, the two lawmakers circulated an email to their colleagues that read: “While use of spoofing is said to have some legitimate uses, it can also be used to frighten, harass and potentially defraud.”