GOP lawmakers sue to stop Palin investigation

Source: AP

GOP lawmakers sue to stop Palin investigation

By STEVE QUINN, Associated Press Writer 3 minutes ago

Five Republican state lawmakers filed suit Tuesday to end the bipartisan investigation into Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of the public safety commissioner even though the vice presidential candidate once said she welcomed the probe into allegations of abuse of power.

The lawsuit called the investigation "unlawful, biased, partial and partisan." None of the lawmakers who filed the suit in Anchorage Superior Court serves on the bipartisan Legislative Council that unanimously approved the investigation.

The scandal known as "Troopergate" gained national attention after Republican presidential candidate John McCain chose Palin as his running mate. Since then, Palin and the McCain campaign have sought to distance Palin from the controversy and have taken actions that could slow its resolution until after the November election.

Palin fired public safety commissioner Walt Monegan in July. Weeks later, it emerged that Palin, her husband, Todd, and several high-level staffers had contacted Monegan about state trooper Mike Wooten, who had gone through a nasty divorce from Palin's sister before Palin became governor. While Monegan says no one from the administration ever told him directly to fire Wooten, he says their repeated contacts made it clear they wanted Wooten gone.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080916/ap_on_el_pr/palin_troopergate

Seems to me they better start with Alaska?

...Will throw their suit out and laugh in their faces.

Geebus, these GOP butt wipes aren't even trying to hide their shenanigans anymore.

This is Bush/Rove/McCain type of behavior.

Remember people, everytime someone votes Republican, God kills a Kitten.

It wasn't "unlawful, biased, partial and partisan" before she was fuck McCain's running mate.

The clutch is engaged, but the wheels are spinning in the mud.

The entire State of Florida is controlled by hooliganism machinations, why not Alaska that has it's own renown corruption club?

Assholes. Lie and cover it up - that's the Repuke way.

US citizens. Only we the people will be transparent to them.

of what this thing could uncover if they're willing to make a move that looks as desperate as this - or maybe they're just afraid of open government in general, like all Neocons are...

REFORMER MY ASS!!! This is the worst of politics as usual.

Depending on which judge gets this, it probably won't go far. We have a fairly liberal judiciary.

http://community.adn.com/adn/node/131410#comment-407431

Lots of paper is flying connected with Troopergate today. Now:

> Five Republican lawmakers went to court asking a judge to issue an emergency order blocking the legislature's investigation. Earlier blog post here.

> House Speaker John Harris sent a letter this morning to Sen. Kim Elton, chairman of the Legislative Council, demanding that the body convene within a week "for the purpose of discussing the status of the investigation currently underway by Stephen Branchflower...The political landscape certainly has changed since this investigation was authorized by the Legislative Council on July 28, 2008. What started as a bipartisan and impartial effort is becoming overshadowed by public comments from individuals at boths ends of the political spectrum."

> A group of Fairbanks and North Pole citizens filed a lawsuit against Branchflower today. They claim the investigation is unconstitutional and want a judge to stop the investigation.



The reader comments afterwards are great. Alaskans are waking up.

"The investigative power of the legislature is plenary." In other words, the Alaska legislature can investigate whatever it likes.


http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/ex_alaska_ag_palins_legal_stra.php

"However", not at all. Which is why I'm getting ready for :popcorn: .

AK Consitution 1.7: "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. The right of all persons to fair and just treatment in the course of legislative and executive investigations shall not be infringed."

I'm unaware of case law on what "fair and just treatment" means here. I'm unaware of any such restriction on legislative inquiries in any other state, even.

but the repukes didn't call that a partisan witch hunt. Go figure.

Oops, I forgot. IOKIYAR.

:rofl:

Republicans; most corrupt hypocrites on the planet.

Source: Reuters


Alaska Republicans Sue to Stop Troopergate Probe
By Yereth Rosen

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Five Republican state legislators filed a lawsuit in Alaska state court on Tuesday seeking to block Democrats from investigating whether vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power in firing a state trooper feuding with her family.

The lawsuit claims the probe into Palin's July firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan is unconstitutional and politically tainted because it is being managed by Democrats trying to undermine Republican presidential candidate John McCain and Palin, his running mate.

Monegan contends he was dismissed because he failed to fire a state trooper who had been involved in a contentious divorce from Palin's sister. The investigation was authorized unanimously in July by a bipartisan legislative committee.

Palin, through McCain campaign officials, contends that Monegan was fired for insubordination.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1632991020080916

They can dish it out but they sure as hell can't take it.

But the 5 republicans aren't "unlawful, biased, partial and partisan."

:rofl:

Republicans; always good for a laugh!

Didn't get no stay of his investigation.

This looks bad and smells worse.

At the very least, I'm sure this won't make her look any better to Alaskans when she loses.

Can't have these "distractions", now, can we!