Daniel Bice

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Attorney General Brad Schimel is really proud of the motto he coined for his agency:

"Kicking Ass Every Day" — or KAED, as he likes to sign off his emails to staff.

So impressed is Schimel with his mildly crude, get-tough motto that he ordered 2,000 challenge coins with the acronym on them. The 1.75-inch gold-plated brass souvenirs read "Wisconsin Attorney General Brad D. Schimel" on one side and "Wisconsin Department of Justice: K.A.E.D." on the other. The state seal appears on the medallions.

Records show the state Department of Justice paid nearly $10,000 in taxpayer dollars — $4.75 each, plus other costs — to Lexington Metal Products Corp. in Lithia, Fla., for two shipments of the commemorative coins, which they received over the past 1 1/2 years. Schimel, a first-term Republican, announced recently that he is running for a second term.

A Schimel aide initially declined to answer questions about the coins.

"Your story is trivial and not a high priority for our communications shop at the moment," Schimel spokesman Johnny Koremenos said via email on Friday. "I’ll get back to you as soon as I can."

Must not be Sunshine Week yet in Schimel's office.

Anyway, it was an odd expenditure by an official who is often complaining about his lack of funds.

In 2015, Schimel asked for more cash so he could hire more staff to investigate officer-involved shootings around the state.

More recently, the attorney general requested more funds in the next budget for officer training, prosecuting internet crimes against children and operating treatment alternatives and diversion programs.

In a followup email, Koremenos said challenge coins are common in military and law enforcement communities as a way to build team unity, reward achievement and boost morale. He said many others, including Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, have purchased and distributed such souvenirs.

Patrick Reilly, president of Lexington Metal Products, wouldn't say how many government agencies have used real tax dollars to have his company mint fake coins.

"We get requests from all kinds of people," said Reilly, a retired New York City cop and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marines. "We never question where it's coming from."

Then-Gov. Scott McCallum caused quite an uproar in 2001 by spending $850 for silver-colored coins bearing his name and image for distribution to Capitol visitors.

But the motto on Schimel's coin makes his unique.

"The acronym KAED is the motto the attorney general gave the agency after taking office," Koremenos said. "It does stand for Kicking Ass Every Day, which is the attorney general's challenge to the team at DOJ and recognition of the amazing work done for the citizens of Wisconsin every day."

For the most part, Schimel has given out the token to high-achieving Justice Department employees and local police as well as speakers at conferences sponsored by the attorney general.

But the coins aren't available to the general public, even if the money for them came from the state budget for the Division of Law Enforcement Services in DOJ.

Koremenos rejected a request for one of Schimel's kick-ass coins. I even offered to cover the $5 cost.

"The coins are not available for purchase," Koremenos said.

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.