One Wisconsin Now has decided to put up a cash reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any individual guilty of destroying recall petitions.

At a Tuesday press conference, executive director Scot Ross said his group has established a $10,000 reward fund.

Ross said he’s heard from members across the state who were troubled by alleged plans to illegally destroy recall petitions.

“We cannot allow democracy to be threatened by those who would illegally destroy recall petitions with valid signatures on them,” said Ross. “We intend to keep the public informed about its rights during the signature gathering process and alert those who would engage in illegal conduct that they do so at their own peril.”

One Wisconsin Now’s announcement comes in the wake of a petition-ripping incident on Madison’s Westside on November 17.

According to the Madison Police Department incident report, a man in a red pickup truck pulled over into a parking lane in the 800 block of Midvale Blvd., where people were collecting petitions. “When given a petition to sign, he—instead—ripped up the document,” the report states. “The man drove away, but petitioners were able to get a license plate number.”

Madison Police spokesperson Joel DeSpain said he spoke to the detective handling the case. The detective’s plan is “to finish the paperwork and take it to the District Attorney’s office.” The District Attorney’s office confirmed it received the paperwork today but it hasn’t been reviewed yet.

Falsifying, defacing or destroying a recall petition is a felony punishable by up to three years and six months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Meanwhile, Edgewood College is the site of a different allegation of the destruction of a recall petition in a dining hall.

The Edgewood College Democrats notified the school’s security about the incident. In a press release, the Edgewood College Democrats allege a student “abruptly grabbed the petition off of the table, ripped it in two pieces, and then walked off with the remains.” They say the petition only contained one or two signatures.

Edgewood College’s Dean of Students sent out an email yesterday to the Edgewood College Community addressing the boundaries of political participation at the school. “This type of action lies clearly outside the boundaries of federal law,” the dean’s letter says, adding the school’s chief judicial officer is leading the judicial process.

Madison Police Department spokesperson DeSpain said at this point he doesn’t have any information about episode at Edgewood. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, he said, adding that he’s fielded other calls from journalists about the issue.

For nice roundup of recall shenanigans, check out this piece from Dane101.

If you liked this story by Elizabeth DiNovella, the Culture Editor of The Progressive magazine, check out her story "Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Gets Ready to Recall Walker."

Follow Elizabeth DiNovella @lizdinovella on Twitter