AK State Leg. Judiciary Committees Grant Subpoenas in Trooper-Gate,
- September 12, 2008, 3:40PM
The Alaska House and Senate Judiciary Committees voted today to grant the independent investigator Stephen Branchflower the subpoenas he requested to continue his investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin, including a subpoena for the testimony of the First Gentleman, Todd Palin.
This is really great news. It prolongs the story at least until the November and it shows a bipartisan effort by the Alaskan legislature to get the truth. Apparently the Palins are not so much interested in getting to the truth, since everything they have done in the last 10 days would postpone or dismiss the case.
Good for Alaska! Good for America!
The state Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3-2 today to subpoena 13 people -- including the husband of Gov. Sarah Palin -- in an investigation of whether Palin abused her power in trying to get her former brother-in-law fired.
Retired prosecutor Stephen Branchflower asked the state House and Senate judiciary committees for power to subpoena the 13 witnesses, including Todd Palin, the governor's husband.
"He's such a central figure. ... I think one should be issued for him," Branchflower said.
The Senate committees granted the request. Voting for were Sens. Charlie Huggins, R-Wasilla, and two Anchorage Democrats, Hollis French and Bill Wielechowski.
Voting no were Sens. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, and Gene Therriault, R-North Pole
.
Palin has said she fired the commissioner, Walt Monegan, over disagreements about budget priorities. Monegan says he received repeated e-mails and phone calls from Palin, her husband and her staff expressing dismay over Wooten's continued employment.
http://www.adn.com/...
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved:
Pursuant to AK 24.25.010(b), I move that you be authorized to issue subpoenas to the following individuals and for the following documents: Frank Bailey, Diane Kiesel, Annette Kreitzer, Nicki Neal, Brad Thompson, Michael Nizich, Don Bitney, Ivy Frye, Kris Perry, Janice Mason, Todd Palin, Randy Ruaro, Murlene Wilkes; cell phone records for Frank Bailey for the period of February 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008. This authorization is contingent upon concurrence of the Senate President.
Passed 3 to 2.