adn.com | Alaska Politics Blog : (Updated) Legislative Council to spend up to $100,000 on Palin investigator

Alaska Politics Blog

This is the place to talk about Alaska politics -- state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has probably never been more interesting than right now -- the governor as candidate for vice president, the broad and still-evolving corruption investigation, a big election, powerful members of Congress under scrutiny, and the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. Keep your comments civil and on point. Avoid personal attacks. Do not use profanity. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be banned.

Contributors

Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, 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.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the ADN before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune 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. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers politics and other stories for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

Features

2008 Election

At one point the races with Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young promised to be the highest-profile campaigns in Alaska history.

SECTION

Palin coverage

The nation was captivated by Sarah Palin's run to the White House, and now Alaska awaits the return of their governor.

Photo galleries

Reader-submitted Palin photos

SECTION

Alaska political corruption

The FBI raided state legislatures offices in Aug. 2006, and the fallout since has been epic in Alaska's political world.

(Updated) Legislative Council to spend up to $100,000 on Palin investigator

Posted by Wesley Loy

Posted: July 28, 2008 - 3:06 pm

From Wesley Loy in Juneau –

State legislators on Monday voted to spend up to $100,000 to investigate Gov. Sarah Palin’s controversial firing of former state Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.

The decision came from the Legislative Council, a bipartisan panel of state senators and representatives.

The committee itself will not conduct the probe. Rather, it will hire an independent investigator to explore whether Palin, her family or members of her administration pressured Monegan to fire a state trooper involved in a rough divorce from Palin’s sister.

Monegan contends he did feel such pressure, and the question for the investigator will be whether Monegan might have lost his job for failing to dismiss Trooper Mike Wooten.

Palin has denied applying any pressure or otherwise abusing her power as governor.

Sharon Leighow, the governor’s spokeswoman, said Palin “doesn’t see a need for a formal investigation,” but is willing to answer questions.

“The governor has said all along that she will fully cooperate with an investigation and her staff will cooperate as well,” Leighow said.

The governor herself was not available for comment Monday afternoon, as she was flying from Anchorage to the capital.

Palin abruptly fired Monegan on July 11 and later explained she wanted to take the Department of Public Safety in a different, more energetic direction. She replaced him with Chuck Kopp, the former Kenai police chief. But Kopp resigned Friday over questions about a reprimand he received after a sexual harassment complaint lodged against him in Kenai.

The Legislative Council is a panel of lawmakers who tend to legislative business when lawmakers are not meeting in regular session.

On Monday, the council voted 12-0 to spend up to $100,000 “to investigate the circumstances and events surrounding the termination of former Public Safety Commissioner Monegan, and potential abuses of power and/or improper actions by members of the executive branch.”

Although absent Sen. John Cowdery, R-Anchorage, took part in the hearing via teleconference, he did not cast a vote. Cowdery, who is under federal indictment on bribery and conspiracy charges, formerly was chairman of the Legislative Council but resigned last week citing health problems.

Council members on Monday confirmed Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, as the new chairman, and he said he’ll be the one who signs the contract with the person hired to do the Monegan investigation.

The council tabbed Anchorage Democratic Sen. Hollis French, a former state prosecutor, with the task of managing the contractor conducting the investigation.

Elton and other lawmakers said they knew of several good candidates – people inside and outside Alaska – who could do the job.

“I can think of at least two people who would be great,” said Elton, declining to name names.

Elton told his fellow council members he hopes the investigation can be done “for a lot less” than $100,000.

The council didn’t specify when the investigator will be hired or when the probe will finish. The motion it passed just says the investigator will submit a report “in a timely manner.”

French told the council the investigator will go to work gathering evidence and then could come back to lawmakers if “some people just won’t talk.” The House and Senate judiciary committees could then issue legislative subpoenas to compel testimony.

“It is the intent of the Legislative Council that the investigation be professional, unbiased, independent, objective, and conducted at arm’s length from the political process,” the council motion says.

Supporters as well as detractors of the Republican governor generally agreed the legislative investigation is needed into the circumstances leading up to Monegan’s dismissal.

“There’s a big question about what happened. The public wants to know what happened,” said Fairbanks Democratic Rep. David Guttenberg, a Legislative Council member. “There’s something that doesn’t quite smell right. The governor’s not going to appoint a special prosecutor to look at whether she’s abused power.”

Guttenberg said Palin didn’t help matters with her long, rambling press release a week ago in which she and some of her top aides tried to refute Monegan. The press release was titled, “Palin Responds to Latest Falsehoods.”

Sen. Gene Therriault of North Pole, leader of the small Republican Senate minority that generally has backed Palin’s policies, said he expects the governor will cooperate and if she’s cleared, the investigation could strengthen her.

“Unfortunately, with partisan politics and talk shows and bloggers, there’s probably just as much noise as substance,” he said. “Hopefully what the investigator can do is sift through it and see if there’s any legitimacy.”

Senate President Lyda Green, a Wasilla Republican and member of the Legislative Council, said the investigation is “absolutely” needed.

“I’m hoping for a clean bill for everybody – that everyone has acted honorably,” said Green, who has butted heads with Palin politically.

Green said she expects the investigator will need perhaps a month to determine whether subpoenas are needed to compel testimony from uncooperative witnesses.

Elton said he’d like the see the whole affair wrapped up before the holidays, and “well before” the new Legislature is seated.

login or register to post comments

12 July 29, 2008 - 5:00am | Stags_Leap

Ramras comments

"What really remains is the most significant hurdle," said Representative Jay Ramras, a Republican from Fairbanks. "Are those professionals going to feel compelled to be subpoenaed before they will speak candidly about what they know?"

11 July 29, 2008 - 4:53am | sptcash

Waste of Money

When this is all over, I hope the legislators apologize for wasting $100,000 on a Halcro conspiracy. They're not going to find anything, and we all know it.

July 29, 2008 - 12:42pm | sgitrak

Yeah a conspiracy....

Halcro controls the 12 unanimous votes on the legislative committee that authorized the investigation and he also forced the central figure in the whole scandal to admit publicly that he was pressured to fire the trooper by Palin's husband and her staff.

And the world is flat.........and this investigation will find no wrong doing.

Oh yeah....and Ted Stevens won't get indicted.

July 29, 2008 - 9:56am | akresource

waste of money?

shut up.....

10 July 29, 2008 - 2:35am | Stags_Leap

a majority of Alaskans suspect wrongdoing by Palin

Poll respondents suspect wrongdoing by governor in Monegan firing

by Channel 2 News staff
Friday, July 28, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- In a poll conducted Monday, July 28, Channel 2 News asked respondents if the thought a probe into the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan would find wrongdoing by Gov. Sarah Palin. Respondents said yes.

Here is the official question and results.

Do you think the probe into the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan will find wrongdoing on the part of Gov. Palin?

Yes 57%

No 39%

Unsure 4%

July 29, 2008 - 5:52am | sptcash

No...

No, Stags, a majority of people clicking on that poll voted "yes."

For all of the Palin-hatred on this blog, I'm surprised that all of you anti-Palin posters didn't get that 57% up to 95%.

July 29, 2008 - 7:36am | Stags_Leap

spare me

no one hates Palin. I feel she is incompetent at running the state and negotiating with multi-national corporations....but that's just my opinion. I don't hate her in the least.

She needs to be held accountable for her actions...and those of her staff and First Gent. It comes with the job...the captain of the ship.

July 29, 2008 - 8:28am | akmooster

how many times did you vote...

stagnate brain?

9 July 29, 2008 - 12:03am | JULY

ALASKA VELVET HAMMER=TOO MUCH POWER!

This recent news of abuse of power could be eliminated by changing the law regarding appointments. These powerful positions that are appointed illicit unethical behavior on behest of our elected officials.

I would submit that the Attorney General, the Department of Public Safety Commissioner, and the Lt. Governor (separate race from the Gov) should be elected rather than appointed.

What would cause anyone to argue the above? Many would surmise that the team can not work together, yet, what we are dealing with here resembles 1930's Germany to those affected by this abuse of power. It is easy to say that the first family was justified because the ex brother in law was not a model citizen, and was just plain awful. However, let's be careful for what we wish for.

Separate, but equal powers would allow no abuse of power by anyone. Should this ABUSE OF POWER be acceptable, no matter the intent...I don't think so!

8 July 28, 2008 - 10:38pm | black33

Open and Transparent, or Politics as Usual and 5th Amendment

CO-GOVERNORS ORDER FULL COOPERATION IN INVESTIGATION:
"BRING IT ON"

Juneau, July 28. Co-Governors Todd and Sarah Palin said today that they welcomed a full investigation into whether Palin administration officials had illegally abused their office or engaged in any improper activities related to the termination of former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The Wasilla Governor's House directed its staff to fully cooperate.

The co-Governors instructed all executive branch employees to preserve all records relating to the case, including any involving contacts with Monegan or other employees regarding Michael Wooten as well as regarding Andrew Halcro, a former legislator whose blog claimed an improper connection between the firing of Monegan and pressure brought upon Monegan and other DPS employees to terminate Wooten.

Co-Governor Sarah said she was ''absolutely confident that the Legislature's investigator will do a very good job'' of investigating the case. Speaking to reporters after meeting privately with TC Alaska executives in Anchorage, she said there were ''just too many rumors'' and "too much blogging" about the case.

''And if there is any more blogging out of our administration,'' co-Governor Todd added, ''I want to know who it is. And the person will be taken care of.''

The Legislature told the co-Governors of its decision to move ahead on Monday after a meeting of the Legislative Council. The Palins were informed late Monday afternoon by the deputy communications director, Sharon Leighow, who then informed the Palins' senior staff at a special meeting.

''The co-governors have one thing to say: "Bring it on!' They have directed full cooperation with this investigation,'' Leighow said in a memorandum distributed to at the meeting. "They expect all staff- especially Frank Bailey and Annette Kreitzer- to be completely honest with the investigator in all respects. If anyone exerises his or her right to the 5th Amendment, while the co-Governors respect the constitution, they will exercise their constitutional authority and will terminate the employment of anyone doing do."

The co-governors realize that the developments today have pushed into high gear the legal and political maneuvering that was common here in the Murkowski years, but that they had largely escaped. The fast-paced developments also promised to renew attention on the underlying issues of whether the administration was truly open and transparent, as well as whether the Palins had sought to discredit critics, like Andrew Halcro, of their AGIA and many other policies.

7 July 28, 2008 - 6:38pm | Lawlady01

What does Ivy Frye actually do?

From everything that I hear from Juneau she's just the Gov's baby sitter. They tried her at Boards and Commissions and she couldn't handle that job (Which is about the easiest job on the 3rd floor - which is why Frank Bailey got it). And then she went over to the Dept. Administration but the Commissioner canned her there as well. So, is she the one who watches the baby when the Gov is.... doing whatever the Gov does? The Gov bring baby Trig to work with her and now we have a state paid employee watching the baby? Is that available to the rest of the state employees?

July 29, 2008 - 10:01am | akresource

I seem to remember

Ivy contacting someone on this blog by phone. How did Ivy get that bloggers phone number? She stated a threat as I recall, to stop blogging about Sarah? Ha! Now that's funny that they would even think that they have power like that....

July 28, 2008 - 8:09pm | akadvocate59

Glorified babysitter on the state payroll

You are correct - she's always tripping around Juneau with the governor's kids. Good work if you can get it. That and censoring emails requested under the Freedom of Information Act appear to be her specialty. The fact that our state government is in the hands of these people - all the way from the top down - frightens me.

6 July 28, 2008 - 6:10pm | Natalie_0

Guess we won' be getting

Guess we won' be getting that $1200 check to help with the heating cost huh? But then again, we may not need it anyway cuz it looks like things are beginning to heat up!

5 July 28, 2008 - 5:56pm | yours_truly

Dear Investigator:

Please also look into use of state funds to pay for the travel of Palin's kids with her.

4 July 28, 2008 - 3:42pm | rfn

$100,000

is the tip of the iceberg.

Unless the "investigation" already has a script written.

If the whole job is to be done I'd estimate more like $450,000.

In the first year.

July 29, 2008 - 5:19am | richardhoneman

Agreed rfn.

But more like a Million I would think. Since most of this is personnel related they will need Court Orders and "show cause" to get them(records) released. This could go on for the entire first and second terms of the Governor.

And the "investigation" will be expanded to include EVERYONE who ever spoke to Trooper Wooten, Chief Monagan, the Trooper Commander, the Governor and ANY lawmaker. Got to get all the facts. This will take lots of time and money. Then the investigation will be expanded AGAIN to investigate any Trooper who was ever written up, suspended or fired-or not-and why or why not.

This will lead to any person who is and ever has been, in politics-everyone who supported or opposed the Governor. And then on to everyone who has or ever HAS ever had a connection to the non-producers. Directly or indirectly. Heck, this could go on forever. And cost MANY millions.

If the Commission decides to limit the scope to the the Governor's "undue influence" of her Office, then they will find she 1. Lawfully terminated an "at will" employee 2. wanted a State trooper who she felt was a danger removed. She broke no laws. Public opinion on her judgement is just that-public opinion. that only counts at the ballot box.

Either way, everyone who supports her will ALWAYS believe that the BIG OIL folks are behind it-gotta stop TC at any cost, and those who oppose her will NEVER believe she did nothing wrong-no matter what the Investigation shows. A lot of good folks will have their reputations ruined. And Alaska will no longer be a "one Party state" which may not be a bad thing. Barbara Honeman

July 29, 2008 - 8:15am | Black3

When you don't know what you're talking about,

it all seems so simple doesn't it?

All employees in the Office of the Governor, commissioners, and deputies are exempt from the State Personnel Act and its confidentiality provisions. Consequently, their personnel and other records are public record. Anything generated using State time and resources is public record. So long as the investigation is administrative rather than criminal, there are no self-incrimination privileges and only a limited right to process.

Of course, the Administration, like every one before it, may well try to throw up a lot of flak and resist the investigation, but at the essence, it's a pretty simple administrative investigation. Then, if it turns up any criminal activity, e.g., improper release of confidential records, improper influence in hire or tenure of a merit system employee, the investigator or the Legislative Council just makes a complaint to the appropriate DA.

July 29, 2008 - 9:33am | richardhoneman

OK, Black3, I'll give you this one.

There was not and is not any CRIMINAL action alledged. Only an Administrative Action. AND your point that everything is ALREADY a matter of Public Record is valid. Anyone who wants to can get any Public Record.

And the only "confidential records" that were released are those of Trooper Wooten-who AUTHORIZED their release himself. So what is all of this about? Chief Monagan HIMSELF said that the Governor never "pressured" him to fire anyone. I believe him. And any private citizen like you, or Todd Palin could not "pressure him" with anything. Neither could any member of the Governor's administration. THEY have no "hiring or firing" authority over the Commisioners.

I am sure the Governor and Chief Monagan discussed the AST-probably several times. If not they SHOULD have. And I would HOPE that the Governor would have discussed Trooper Wooten's "threats" with Monagan. And I would HOPE that Monagan checked it out. Knowing him, I am sure he did.

So you are correct-there is nor was there a crime. And believe me "Abuse of Power" IS a crime. For the Governor, for Trooper Wooten and any other public employee. All the Public Records have been released and printed in the ADN. And I firmly believe that had Chief Monagan KNOWN of a crime, he would have been the first to step up-not cover up. Given all this-why is this still being stirred up? All this for a simple administrative action? Barbara Honeman

July 29, 2008 - 12:26pm | Black3

The "by-catch" of such an investigation

would be the interesting part; there's some way cool emails out there and if you know your way around State government it is pretty easy to fill in a lot of the blacked out parts.

I actually don't give a damn about the Monegan thing. Don't know why she hired anyone ex-APD. You CANNOT be Chief in ANC and not be approved by the union; that's not a recommendation for a Republican Governor's Commissioner of DPS. PSEA has a certain amount of influence on DPS, but they don't run it. The cop union runs the APD.

No matter what, it's a hundred grand that will get out into the economy instead of sitting in Treasury or going to Wall Street.

July 29, 2008 - 1:07pm | Sheridan_Sheraton

if you know your way around

if you know your way around State government it is pretty easy to fill in a lot of the blacked out parts.

Isn't that what they call conjecture? It sure gets used alot.

July 29, 2008 - 8:37am | akmooster

I think barbara is right about the results

of the investigation. She surely has the legal right to fire Monegan. And I have yet to see anyone, Mondgan included, state that she TOLD him to fire the trooper (who so badly NEEDS fired) much less tell him to fire the trooper or else.
$100k gone plus probably a lot more, a finding of no finding and all the palin folks will say see and all the anti-palin folks will say cover-up.
And just think, it could pay for 20% of our obligation to get a pipeline.

3 July 28, 2008 - 3:39pm | Observermp

Sitter?

Will Ivy babysit while the Governor is talking with the investigator?

Will Todd sit in?

This could become deep sit.

July 28, 2008 - 4:46pm | skinny_gal

HAAA!

That's funny! Skinny_gal like!

2 July 28, 2008 - 3:35pm | black33

The redemption of Frank Bailey

I heard the reason a decision was not made today on who the investigator will be is because Frank Bailey has been asked to do the background checks!

1 July 28, 2008 - 3:14pm | Stags_Leap