Seven Palin aides to testify in abuse-of-power probe
Originally published Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 3:37 p.m.
Updated Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 6:19 p.m.
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Stumble It!ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Seven aides to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin have reversed course and agreed to testify in an investigation into whether the Republican vice presidential nominee abused her powers by firing a commissioner who refused to dismiss her former brother-in-law.
There is no indication, however, that Palin or her husband will now agree to testify in the legislative inquiry, which has dogged her for the past several months and could hurt John McCain in the final weeks of the presidential race.
Palin, a first-term governor, is the focus of a legislative investigation into her firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan a year after she, her husband and key advisers began questioning him about getting rid of a state trooper who had gone through a nasty divorce with her sister.
Monegan says he was dismissed because he wouldn't fire the governor's former brother-in-law, but Palin contends he was dismissed for insubordination. McCain operatives called Monegan a "rogue" who repeatedly tried to work outside normal channels for requesting money.
Lawmakers subpoenaed seven state employees to testify in the inquiry but they challenged those subpoenas. After a judge rejected that challenge last week, the employees decided to testify, Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg said.
Democratic state Sen. Hollis French, who is managing the investigation, said that, following the court ruling, he again asked Palin and her husband, Todd, whether they planned to testify.
"We've had no response," French said Sunday.
Palin says the legislative inquiry has become too political and she believes that only the state's personnel board should investigate the firing. Todd Palin has agreed to speak with investigators for that panel but not for the legislative inquiry.
The governor has the authority to fire the members of the personnel board.
Alaska's Supreme Court, meanwhile, is considering whether to block the findings of the legislative inquiry. The high court scheduled arguments for Wednesday over whether the case is being manipulated to hurt Palin before Election Day on Nov. 4.
The decision by the state employees to testify will not affect that appeal, said Kevin Clarkson, a lawyer for five Republican lawmakers who brought that challenge.
The independent investigator conducting the probe plans to turn over his conclusions on the case by next Friday to the Legislative Council, the body that authorized it.
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An Admin II would have been fired for refusal to testify. Why are these 7 pukes given a pass?. Oh I forgot, they are part of Queen Sarah's chosen few. It seems we can clearly see which pigs are more equal than others.
This probe is ridiculous!! I can't wait until she is vindicated. Mr. Hollis appears to be overzealous with his attempt to bring his name and claim foward. I've freed up alot employees freedom because of a difference of direction, it's just the nature of big business.
And John, you shouldn't hate on our next VP. hahahahaa
It will be very interesting to see how all this plays out. Between the McCain campaign's interference and Gov. Palin's total reversal in her pledge for full disclosure and cooperation, it makes her look very very guilty. Appearances can be everything in politics.
serialtexter - it was 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats who voted UNANIMOUSLY to investigate Palin. It is not ridiculous. And, she welcomed the investigation at the time, or so she said. What's your problem?
We should ALL be concerned that information on how to recall the governor (or any other elected official for that matter) has been removed from the state website. I checked and information was available a couple weeks ago...it is now gone. Check it out for yourself:
http://ltgov.state.ak.us/petitions/recal...
Is this some kind of sick move from the McPalin campaign to block information? Recalling the governor is a serious possibility and the mvoement has started. Email Sean Parnell and demand this information be reposted.
Sure seems convenient, eh? The employees now deciding to obey the subpoenas, now that McCain/Palin's ratings are plunging?
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