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Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins writes about Anchorage city government and politics. He covered last year's campaign for governor, and has blogged extensively about Alaska politics for the past year. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the Daily News before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune two years ago to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Now he's back in Anchorage. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau this summer, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.

Palin investigator expected

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: July 21, 2008 - 1:36 pm

From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage --

Lots of talk today among legislators about investigating whether fired public safety commissioner Walt Monegan was pressured by the Palin administration to get rid of trooper Mike Wooten, who was in a messy divorce with Palin's sister.

Senate Judiciary chairman Hollis French said he spoke over the weekend with Senate President Lyda Green and other members of the Senate majority.

"I'm fairly confident at this point that what we're going to see is the appointment of an independent investigator to make sure that politics is not involved into the inquiry into the Monegan firing and if it was motivated by the handling of the Wooten case or something else," French said today. "And a separate track into whether there were violations of the personnel act in certain members of the administration's handling of the Wooten case."

French said he thinks a special investigator would be appointed within a week. Some legislators are talking about also having hearings right away on the Monegan firing. But French said he didn't think there would be immediate hearings. He said the Legislature has to focus on the gas pipeline and energy relief issues up now in the special session, and try to keep politics out of the Monegan issue.

Things are more in flux in the state House. There's discussion in the House of both an investigator and hearings -- and of what legislative committee would hold any hearings. Lawmakers were flying into Juneau today to resume the gas pipeline special session and the House majority hasn't made a decision on how to proceed.

"I think everybody will be all over the place until we have a few days to be down here and get assembled," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jay Ramras.

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72 July 28, 2008 - 10:27pm | theliquater

palin v monegan

just dropped in to see how the gov.,was fairing,badly i see,now methinks its just a matter of time before she resigns,what a tangled webb....when does a gov., not govern,when she's in a tangled webb,she can't be that smart as she didn't realise how her actions would unfold,now every man and his moose is after her,current score palin 1 v 9 monie(the games almost over providing the big M keeps to his story and keeps his mouth shut)the shady game of politics hey....regards theliquidater

71 July 25, 2008 - 12:42am | nomekid

Recommendation

First off, I would like to know why Palin wrote a letter of recommendation. Every time I was asked to turn in a letter of recommendation I was told it could not be from a family member. Palin and Wooten were family members at the time. Not once in that letter did she indicate this personal connection.

Secondly it looks like Palin is good at using her positions to help her sister. The letter of recommendation is on the City of Wasilla letterhead. Did the troopers at the time know that the Mayor of Wasilla was the sister-in-law of their applicant?

70 July 24, 2008 - 9:55am | akgen

Do not

tazer the kid
or drive drunk...

If your caught doing these things, while on the job, you should be gone. If you are not gone, expect some grief in your life.

July 24, 2008 - 12:52pm | AK_Lady

Wooten did not drive drunk.

He drove after having a drink.

July 24, 2008 - 1:02pm | rfn

Having stated that with some certainty,

can you tell with direct knowledge whether the alleged drink was taken in a bar?

There has been some allegation that there was an open container in the car. From personal knowledge, can you confirm or deny that?

I find it hard to imagine a single drink could cause any adult male to be legally impaired as would be indicated by a breath or blood test. Are you personally aware of any such test having been conducted (not results...just whether)?

There has been far too much rumor-mongering here, so any direct and certain information might help clear things up.

69 July 23, 2008 - 12:30pm | AKpam_1

On Track

Is it true that Sarah Palin's son, Track, was one of the kids that destroyed a bunch of school busses a few years back? Anybody else know anything about this?

July 23, 2008 - 8:57pm | rfn

this is true it invites action from the court system for violation of orders concerning the identity of minors.

If this if untrue, it might be what lawyers term "actionable".

In any case, it presents yet another opportunity for an investigation and possibly civil a proceeding in addition to anything a court might have to say about release of identities.

July 23, 2008 - 5:53pm | palmerbuyer

WHY

would you start a stupid rumor like this?

Don't you have anything better to do with your time?

68 July 22, 2008 - 8:37am | black33

If Palin wanted him gone, by golly he'd be gone

If Palin can hire a private eye to chase her ex-brother in- law, surely she can afford to hire a lawyer to keep her from saying dumb things, like:

"I've said all along, hold me accountable," Palin told reporters in Juneau. "And I'm telling the truth when I say that there was never pressure put on Commissioner Monegan."

The governor said she didn't think any conversations she, her husband, Todd, or members of her administration had with the commissioner about Mike Wooten should have been taken as pressure to get rid of the trooper.

"The proof is in the pudding," Palin said. "He didn't fire anybody. The trooper is still a trooper."

A good lawyer can inform her about employment law, the application of the State Personnel Act, and so on. A good lawyer can even tell her to say nothing, or at least tell the same story.

A few days ago members of the administration were denying, or failing to recall, conversations they had with Monegan about Wooten. Palin's statement above makes it clear that they did.

67 July 22, 2008 - 2:29am | theliquater

palin v monegan

Wow, the game continues,its theliquidater from down under,little did i know three weeks ago when i logged on to adn.com,that politics in the bigger A could be so exciting,talk about putting the boot or two in,i love it.the community is well and truly polarized(excuse the pun,i just could'nt resist it)Very interesting how politicians love to mudsling when they get under pressure,its the oldest trick in the book of course,nice to see the gov's dirty linen being aired(families eh),now the investigation starts...can't wait..ooops before i go the latest score....palin 1 v 4 monie.....by the way your reader comments are brilliant,you must have the gov's aids pulling their hair out and rightly so,keep up the excellent work..I'm theliquidater and i'll be back,respect.

July 22, 2008 - 5:31am | Stags_Leap

The real questions

Did Monegan and Holloway make statements suggesting that charges would be filed against anyone in the governor's office -if that is where Wootne's AI file leak originated? If yes, and Monegan was fired subsequently...that is a possible federal criminal charge.

Who illegally leaked Wooten's AI file to Molly's divorce attorney...a file that is separate and distinct from his personnel file? Again -another possible federal charge.

Did Tibbles, Bailey, Kreitzer, and the First Dude (on multiple occasions), and others try and pressure Monegan -directly or indirectly, to fire Wooten? That's an Abuse of Power charge.

I'm still a little fuzzy on why Palin delayed her scheduled endorsement of Ted Stevens this past weekend. Did Ted wise up and say -thanks but no thanks. Or is Palin using this as leverage over Tibbles?

Why was Chuck Kopp, a person with a sexual harassment claim in his file brought on board so quickly?

I am sure the special investigator will get to the bottom of these questions. I also hope that person looks at the Palin family member travel costs being charged to the state dime -and whether or not that is a violation of the State's Ethics Act.

July 23, 2008 - 4:05am | pixieteeth

Why was Chuck Kopp brought on so quickly?

to boticize: "We are going a new direction". (I don't want to go this new direction).

66 July 22, 2008 - 2:07am | tlamb775

Hmmm;

12-27-01 Warning for filing personal documents written on DPS report forms with the Court in reference to a personal issue;

1-05-04 Reprimand for negligent damage to a state vehicle;

1-24-05 Instruction in reference to driving complaints of speeding, unsafe lane changes following too closely, and not using turn signals while operating a state vehicle;

4-14-05 Instruction for being absent without leave;

6-24-05 Instruction for reimbursement for personal cell phone calls;

10-12-05 Suspension for violation of traffic law;

11-16-05 Memorandum of Expectations to clarify duty hours, tardiness and personal business during duty hours.

When all things are considered, it seems the Troopers would have a wee bit of a problem on explaining this Troopers habits and keeping him on the force.

July 22, 2008 - 7:48am | cjdraveling1

So much for confidentiality

Where did you get all of this information....was this on the computer at the Clerk's office as public information? Just Curious...

July 22, 2008 - 11:03am | tlamb775

seek

and ye shall find.

It's posted on KTVA's website for all to see. Yes so much for confidentiality. Since it seems Wooten signed the release himself.

Next time you hear a union boss talk about problems with retention in the Troopers because of money, one might ask, are you talking about retaining Wooten?

It sure seems they didn't have troubles retaining him with his problems.

Getting Instruction for absent with out leave.

Acronym in the military would be AWOL. And folks that go AWOL know that getting just "Instruction" on it would be a joke.

July 22, 2008 - 12:54pm | Stags_Leap

tlamb -you're confused again

originally -yes, his personnel file was available to pretty much everyone. But his AI file was not. And at some point, someone leaked info that was in the AI to Molly's attorney....

That is a criminal action...and someone could do jail time if they find out who leaked it.

July 22, 2008 - 3:08pm | tlamb775

Stags

someone leaked to Andrew that the AI file was unlawfully obtained by Palin.

In the type of litigation that was taking place and the accusations that were being alleged, Wooten's attorney would get a copy through the court's actions and that means Palin's sister would get a copy and possible; Palin would get a copy from her sister.

Show us where the AI file was not released.

July 22, 2008 - 12:57pm | rfn

And who does that jail time

might really be surprising!

Information went in more than one direction. I wonder what else will be found when those state computers are closely inspected!

65 July 22, 2008 - 1:06am | Dispatcher911

Ok so yestereday I showed how bad her math was.....now this

Ok I know this isn't gonna get any responses from anyone because its not part of the scandal, its not directly about Wooten, blah, blah, blah. It has to do with the Publics safety which no one really cares until they are directly effected. However one of Palins statements really bothered me....

"The fact that Mr. Monegan prepared a detailed draft written report of the troopers' activities in 2007 does not change the bottom line or lack of results," she said.

Mrs. Palin how do you expect results when you cut the department dry? See in the BIG scheme of things the one to blame if a ship sinks is the captain, you know the one at the wheel. In this case Mrs. Palin that would be you, the one who increased the budget to 2.3 million dollars (to show face) and then cut it 2 million for whatever reason (I can only suspect why). Sounds like Monegan had the plan but you failed the plan. Does this make sense to anyone?

July 22, 2008 - 1:35am | gcp

Makes perfect sense to me 911

Either she is a vindictive b*tch or she has absolutely no clue what she is doing. Make that.....she is a vindictive b*tch who has absolutely no clue what she is doing....that way we have all of our bases covered.

I listened to Monegan on CC's show on KUDO today and I have to tell you, the man is a class act through and through. It sounded like the situation at DPS was coming well into hand for him other than the budget. I cannot believe that we are pulling in obscene oil royalties and that twit of a woman won't fund our public safety with every resource available. Walt was talking about Troopers working dangerous situations alone in places with NO communication, Troopers having to use legal pads and then transcribe their notes back at the office because the state won't buy them laptops, Troopers working in old and outdated bullet proof vests....it went on and on and was all pretty disturbing. If one Trooper dies because Governor(s) Palin refuse to fully fund this department it will be on their heads.

I think Walt should run for Governor. The man is a totally class act and he absolutely cannot do a worse job than the last several that I can think of.

64 July 22, 2008 - 12:53am | akadventure65

Not the 1st Time!

Petty personal vendettas are becoming her pattern. Wasn't too long ago her disapproval of a staff member's marital difficulties and indiscretions resulted in his unemployment. Tawdry Todd and Sarah diminish themselves and the office of governor with their inability to separate their own and others' personal lives from professional responsibilities.

July 22, 2008 - 1:06am | effincloaca

No, not the first time

Ask Karleen Jackson how it felt to be told by Palin and her flunkies that they wanted to take DHSS in a "new direction" and offered her the option to get on board or resign. She chose to resign, undoubtedly with the assurance that they'd write a glowing recommendation for her next job.
Annette Kreitzer is about as untouchable a commissioner as there is right now, because she's running a department that is redefining how to make do with less. Division of Finance is so understaffed that they're at the breaking point, but the bottom line is all that matters to Palin. DOA comes in well below budget, so they look like they're in the type of savings mode that Palin adores. This allows Palin to hand out $750 million (or more) but at the same time boast of how she's curbed "big government spending".

July 22, 2008 - 1:32am | akadventure65

1st timers look out

Imagine what would happen to the femmes Jackson and Kreitzer if they were to display a little lack of discretion in their private lives. Look out ladies big sister sarah is watching. And she wields a meddlesome husband along with her big stick.

63 July 22, 2008 - 12:29am | alterego

Politics vs. Professionals

So what do Palin and Kopp have in common? Being managers of relatively small government entities for one. Probably both missed the class on creating a hostile work environment for another. Both are in, and Walt is out. Walt is the professional and the other two are? Yep, a politician and yes man who would fire Wooten except now it probably wouldn't look to swift but given the current climate, who knows? So how does this stack up against say...buying a jet?

62 July 21, 2008 - 11:55pm | bubbaboy

What does this sound like outside Alaska?

It just struck me: what must Alaskan antics of the past week sound like to average Joe and Jane Americans who live Outside? Just think of the venacular that now seems old hat to us road weary Alaskans from simply the past 72 hours alone - the daily hugs; a kiss on the right cheek; killing a moose out of season; eating said moose before mentioning it in documents; tazering an 11 year old; Woeful Wooten; Bashful Bailey; Kan't Quite Recall Kreitzer (however you spell her name); Kiss Me Kopp; Pie and Tea Palin; Too Many Meetings Todd; Missing You Monegan; and on and on it goes.

Hollis, Lyda, someone - stop this madness. Is there an adult in the House (or the Senate?)

July 22, 2008 - 1:10pm | AK_Lady

Jus so ya know...

no one said the moose was shot out of season.

July 22, 2008 - 7:59am | cjdraveling1

Nope

In Illinois they have Governor problems and also the Democatic Presidential Candidate problems. Anywhere there are politicians, there are problems. I still say they should take D.C. and all of it's ganglions and send them to their own Planet and start over with the working class person who provided the buildings, offices, utilities, parking lots, retail merchandise for the lovely so called breed of planet people called Politicians. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!!
Seems to be a politician you must take the classes of lie, cheat, blame, travel and purchasing....without it being from your life or pocketbook.

July 22, 2008 - 1:15am | gcp

Best post of the day, bubbaboy....

It truly does sound like we've gone completely off the deep end around here! Too funny...

July 22, 2008 - 12:51pm | hey_georgie_girl_98

bubbaboy

It sounds like you have the lyrics for a song~

61 July 21, 2008 - 11:30pm | dumbdumber

Dirty Laundry

ok. since everyone seems to be pounding the war drums. let's look into this Wooten character. who in the world would only reprimand this police officer that tazered a kid.

60 July 21, 2008 - 10:22pm | black33

The character of Mike Wooten during the courtship phase

"I wish America had more people with the grace and sincerity that mirrors the character of Mike Wooten."

Sarah Palin, in a reference letter written in 2000

From the beginning, Governor Sarah Palin has maintained Trooper Wooten has nothing to do with the firing of Commissioner Walt Monegan. In fact, she says she has kept the relationship between Wooten and her sister separate from any official duties as both mayor and as governor. But a letter that has surfaced seems to suggest otherwise.

see KTVA for full story

July 21, 2008 - 10:40pm | tlamb775

I am sure

you would find ex wives and ex husbands saying the same thing as well as relatives.

It's not until you live with them that is when you get to know them.

July 21, 2008 - 10:46pm | TheSdog

No sale tl

If she did not know him, she should not have written something like that in 2000.

That is unless she is dishonest. Oh wait, she is dishonest. Nevermind.

July 21, 2008 - 11:05pm | tlamb775

Let me put it this way

I have written recomendations in the Air Force on people who I thought were outstanding.

Only to find out later that they were less than honorable in their personal life that carried over into their professional life. And I am sure you can make an opposite argument.

If there are events that Palin has alleged that are being used to discredit Wooten now and the timelines cross on the recomendation, then there is a problem.

But I haven't seen it. Otherwise, I'm not in a position to get inside Palin's head.

Sdog, when I first read Halcro's blog, I thought what in the hell is Palin doing.

On the face it looked very damning, but when you look at all of the issues, more questions are being answered with no one can come to a conclusion at this point.

Not you, not me, no one at this point in time.

What troubles me is what is being alleged about two Sundays ago with Palin's sister having to call the Troopers to get her kids back.

That needs to be looked at. If true, then there could be issues with Trooper Wooten's willingness to follow court orders and the law.

If someone in his capacity is willing to risk an outcome by willfully ignoring a custody order then there are problems.

July 22, 2008 - 9:07pm | TheSdog

lamb

Do you remember the woman pilot in the USAF who was fratenizing with her NCOIC?

Having gone through the painful process of writing OPRs I gained at least some knowledge of "the code." It was kind of obvious to me when the OPRs on that particular officer went public that people did not think much of her.

Palin needed to stay out of this and she did not. It is also clear by timing and other issues that there was a bit of a "witch hunt" mentality. There may have been good reasons for it but when you get down and wrestle with pigs you get mud on you.

In my field you often have to fill out recommendations on colleagues. I only ever do it if I have enough experience with the person to know for sure.

I have been asked to write letters for people who are applying to my alma mater(which are usually ignored by the admissions office) and I have done interviews for the same school as well as my med school. It is hard to get a read in a short period of time but in both processes I always get as much info as I can. You can tell a lot from transcripts and what courses someone takes and even what activities they enjoy.

Palin wrote the glowing letter for a family member plain and simple. As usual, she ignore details mainly by not even bothering to look. The result? Predictable.

July 23, 2008 - 1:00am | tlamb775

Sdog

given the position she is in and put in by the trooper and the fact that her sister was married to the trooper, she is in a catch 22 situation.

And yes she did write a letter. I am not sure that she broke the law since she was not in a position to influence he being hired.

I am not going to disagree that she has used poor judgment on issues and hid them and the latest is Kopp, and the "bullet line", but what concerns me is that the issue of Trooper Wooten and he still being on the force.

After certain events today, there is no doubt in my mind now, that the federal government will be asking questions and will be monitoring how the state conducts itself in so-called investigative matters and how the Judge assigned to the case handled matters.

The infraction by Trooper Wooten in 2001 is curious to me in that Palin wrote the letter in 2000.

Wooten received a warning in 2001 for filing personal documents written on DPS report forms with the Court in reference to a personal issue.

Palin was the Mayor at the time and the question is who found out and reported Wooten? I don't think it was the Palin's who did it.

And as Colonel Grimes stated in Wooten's AI, she referenced other action items than those the Palin's made, that showed a pattern with Wooten.

The drinking with the beer is not referenced, the killing of the moose is not referenced. These were complaints made by the Palin's.

And if you look in Halcro's blog you will not find any mention of it.

http://www.andrewhalcro.com/why_walt_monegan_got_fired

Quote: "..In all cases except one, the charges were ruled unfounded after an internal investigation. And the one charge that was valid, Wooten immediately admitted to."

Even though, 7 complaints are found in Trooper Wooten's personnel file according to Colonel Grimes.

There is not one mention of the other infractions in the personnel file made by Halcro. There is a reason why. And it will come out.

July 22, 2008 - 5:35am | Stags_Leap

weird

people actually ask you to write letters of recommendation?

July 22, 2008 - 11:10am | tlamb775

Stags

at the time, only at my commander's request. Didn't you say you were a veteran?

You do know whta the term AWOL means. And I am still waiting on how many minutes late Trooper Wooten was on returning the kids back.

Since you brought it up.

July 22, 2008 - 1:09pm | AK_Lady

tlamb

"And I am still waiting on how many minutes late Trooper Wooten was on returning the kids back."

Why don't you call Molly and ask her.

July 22, 2008 - 3:10pm | tlamb775

Why call her

Stags is here to keep the truth.

July 22, 2008 - 11:13am | Sheridan_Sheraton

Veteran?

He might not even be a citizen other than South African.

But he can pretend to know all.

July 22, 2008 - 12:55pm | Stags_Leap

I am also

according to BunkerBuster -either Gail Phillips or Andrew Halcro.

July 22, 2008 - 5:41pm | palmerbuyer

WOW!!

Both at the SAME TIME?

Amazing.

July 22, 2008 - 12:23am | seewhy

custody battle

"What troubles me is what is being alleged about two Sundays ago with Palin's sister having to call the Troopers to get her kids back. That needs to be looked at. If true, then there could be issues with Trooper Wooten's willingness to follow court orders and the law. If someone in his capacity is willing to risk an outcome by willfully ignoring a custody order then there are problems."
even rational people lose it dealing with divorce and custody. [ya ever been divorced, lamb?] i feel a lot less concerned about that than i do about wooten tasing a kid.

July 22, 2008 - 1:08pm | hey_georgie_girl_98

custody battle

IMO, this whole saga is like a Rubik's Cube because of other psych questions.....like how did Wooten get away with tasing a child without the OCS agency intervening?

July 21, 2008 - 10:59pm | Cartman3_15

We mortals can only

try to imagine how it must feel to be so perfect, and so all-knowing.

59 July 21, 2008 - 10:09pm | effincloaca

Screw the legislative investigation, get a grand jury

If there are grounds to believe a statute was violated by either the firing of Monegan or the use of elected office to pressure a commissioner to advance a personal agenda, there should be a grand jury called to hear evidence.

A legislative investigation will be nothing but a political show, no matter how "independent" the investigator is.

I really hope this isn't the latest example of Alaska Politicians Gone Wild. A friend of mine from the east coast e-mailed me and asked, "So, how many of your politicians are NOT in jail right now?"

July 21, 2008 - 10:34pm | aktraveller

Forget the grand jury, off with their heads!!

Let's just hang her now!!! I mean she must be guilty! Better yet, tar and feather her and then put her and Todd in stocks in town square so we can throw rotten fruit and veggies at her.

Sweet Jesus Tap Dancing Christ people, let's step back a wee bit and wait for the results of the investigation before we make a decision. I mean it is possible that Palin et al are telling the truth and that Monegan is lying. Just call off the mob and wait a wee bit. Simmer down folks.

July 22, 2008 - 12:56am | effincloaca

You probably don't understand what a grand jury is.

If you did, you would understand that I'm suggesting it as a means for determining whether there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. It's not the equivalent of saying someone's guilty. It's readily apparent to anyone that Palin has acted imprudently in her handling of the matter. Whether there is wrongdoing - as opposed to mere buffoonery, ineptitude, or ignorance - is not for anyone to say until facts are elicited under oath.
Don't worry, after she decides to up the ante and raise the "resource rebate" above the $1,200 she already pulled from thin air many will forgive her anything. That's because it shows how much she cares about others. In fact, it's probably the only way she knows how to show she cares.

July 21, 2008 - 10:44pm | black33

Will you extend the same courtesy

To Young, Stevens, and even Cowdery, all of who have either been criticized by Palin and in the case of the latter asked to resign (yes, I know he was indicted).

Her double standard is probably what is bothering people the most. If she had shown a little more sympathy to others, perhaps the same courtesy would have been displayed towards her.

I look forward to a thorough, impartial investigation- with witnesses under oath.

Then there will be some heads rolling.

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