Update on the investigation into Gov Palin's abuse of power...

[DCBob]

Sarah Palin's Alaska aides will be forced to reveal her office secrets in the Troopergate inquiry. Senior aides to Alaska governor Sarah Palin are to be compelled to reveal the inner workings of her state office in an ethics probe that could be highly embarrassing for the new Republican vice-presidential candidate.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/2694570/Sarah-Palins-Alaska-aides-will-be-forced-to-reveal-her-office-secrets-in-Troopergate-inquiry.html
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This will be great theater-- hope it's on CSPAN!

[skooooo]

1. good times!

[DCBob]

2. Here's more: Palin will NOT be subpoenaed but will be asked to voluntarily testify but...

others will be subpoenaed.

JUNEAU, Alaska, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Investigators plan to issue subpoenas in a probe of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of the state public safety commissioner, officials said Friday. State Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat who is managing the Legislature's investigation into the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, said investigators decided not to subpoena Palin. French said the decision was intended to cool off a growing standoff between the Legislature and Palin, the Republican nominee for U.S. vice president, the Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported. "We just want the truth, clear the air," French said. Legislators still intend to conduct an interview with Palin, and have moved up the date for finishing work on a report into the matter. Instead of the original release date of Oct. 31, the report is now scheduled to be issued Oct. 10.

The Alaska Public Safety Employees Association, which represents Alaska state troopers, has filed an ethics complaint against Palin, requesting an investigation into possible criminal wrongdoing in the disciplining of Trooper Michael Wooten, Palin's former brother-in-law. Palin and members of her administration allegedly pressured former Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire Wooten, and Palin fired Monegan after he refused.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/09/05/Palin_will_not_be_subpoenaed_in_probe/UPI-97511220667551/
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This does not look good for Gov Palin.

[Kdillard]

3. Go, Go Troopergate. I hope it is a huge weight on her and

on the McCain campaign. The media needs to do it's job and report on this and her other scandals.

[DCBob]

5. Indeed. Here is a statement from the head of the committee, Hollis French...

The head of the state senate committee now investigating the allegations says it smacks of abuse of power. "You should never use your public office to settle a private score," said Sen. Hollis French. "And that's what the legislature is looking into, to what degree did the Governor's personal family relationship inject or get introduced into her work as Governor."
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This could take her down.

[speedoo]

4. I love the smell of subpeonas for rethugs! nt

[DCBob]

7. Subpoenaes would not have been necessary except suddenly all the key witnesses cancelled..

"This week, seven key witnesses informed Mr. Branchflower through their attorneys that they would not provide depositions. Their depositions, which had been agreed to and scheduled earlier with Mr. Branchflower, were cancelled within the last 72 hours."
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There is cheney-esk. The scumbag Republicans will stop at nothing to keep their power. It is frightening.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

17. The technique is somebody's lawyers call them up and pressure them on just how "sure" they are. . nt

[MarjorieG]

6. Can the investigation/judgment include pattern of abuse with others?

[DCBob]

8. Not sure. But I suspect this is very specific to this particular issue.

I think they have enough to nail her. The only question is whether the Repub lawyers can squelch the investingation with bogus legal loopholes and delay tactics.

[Cha]

9. Hmm..I was getting

bummed earlier today 'cause of the thread that said "key witnesses in Troopergate had dispostions cancelled..

kpete (1000+ posts) Sat Sep-06-08 03:39 PM
Original message

7 KEY Witnesses In Troopergate-Had Depositions CANCELLED In The Last 72 Hours
Edited on Sat Sep-06-08 03:39 PM by kpete

Lawyers, Troopergate, and Questions

By Reed Hundt - September 6, 2008, 7:05AM

"This week, seven key witnesses informed Mr. Branchflower through their attorneys that they would not provide depositions. Their depositions, which had been agreed to and scheduled earlier with Mr. Branchflower, were cancelled within the last 72 hours."

So isn't there anyone with investigatory power, or even just lawyerly or reportorial skills, who could inquire into exactly how all these witnesses to "troopergate" happened to obtain lawyers and then all follow the exact same tactic in the same 72 hours? Who are their lawyers; who is paying their lawyers? And many other questions that follow.

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/06/lawyers...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6964572

State Senator Hollis French and Walt Monegan must have some gravitas!

[DCBob]

10. That is why the subpoenas were necessary.

Funny they were more than willing to testify before Sarah was selected VP -- then suddenly they backed out.

[mamalone]

11. Me too...

But these latest developments are very encouraging!

[kestrel91316]

12. They will all close ranks and lie to protect her. Or be too scared to tell the truth.

[ladjf]

13. How could all of the witnesses be coerced into lying? That doesn't

seem feasible.

In any event, it's one thing for the Justice Department working on behalf of the Presidents office, to be able to squelch testimony in one way or the other. But, on such short notice and involving agencies outside the control of Bush's people, they are very likely to make some errors that will be discovered. And if that were to happen, it would be over for McCain and Palin.

[kestrel91316]

14. Her supporters will lie for her. Those who fear her will withhold the truth.

[ladjf]

15. Lying and withholding evidence under oath are dangerous acts.

[kestrel91316]

16. When did that ever stop these freaks? Especially when the

justice department is run by more freaks.

[ladjf]

19. The Alaskan witnesses are outside of the Justice Department

and White House control. My hope is that they will make some mistakes and get caught.

[smoochpooch]

18. Yes, these people need to be reminded of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.

Both players would have been much better off just telling the truth. Instead, they lied and are facing federal perjury charges instead of just disgrace. I think they would make a different choice if they had it to do all over again.

[ladjf]

20. If the Palin people get caught in a coverup it would be even better

.