Associated Press:
Alabama Attorney General Troy King's office is reportedly under investigation by federal authorities.
Reports published Tuesday said at least six former members of King's staff went before a federal grand jury meeting in Montgomery last week. They were asked about investigations and their possible connection to allies of the Republican attorney general.
[edited to note: King is a Republican]
The most surprising part of this story is that the investigation in the state capital of Montgomery is being handled by - wait for it - Northern District US Attorney and Bush holdover Alice Martin.
Yes, the same Alice Martin who wants a one-year extension on her term in office. The same Alice Martin who prosecuted former Alabama governor Don Siegelman. The same Alice Martin who is under investigation by DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility for the Siegelman case and another case where she allegedly tried to put a defense contractor out of business. The same Alice Martin who aggressively prosecuted a retired teacher for "underperforming on a contract to teach underprivileged children", probably because the retired teacher was also a Democratic state legislator.
Elections were supposed to have consequences. Why is Martin still here? Her performance over nearly eight years has been a disservice to justice in Alabama. And if King did use his office improperly - shock of shocks! - Martin is the last person who should be supervising his investigation.
Update 1: The Montgomery Independent, in an earlier posted story, adds some context.
The entire U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District, in Montgomery, including U.S. Attorney Leura Canary, has recused itself, according to sources. Neither U.S. Attorney's Office, in Birmingham nor Montgomery, would confirm the recusal of the Middle District office or offer an explanation why....
Although federal grand jury proceedings are secret, The Independent has learned that at least seven witnesses testified last week. FBI questioning of the witnesses and then their testimony before the grand jury indicate authorities are focusing on the attorney general.
Areas thought to be under investigation include King's relationship with gambling interests in the state and allegations of selective prosecution of some electronic bingo operators.
Update 2: The Birmingham News adds that the investigation may include retaliation against a Tuscaloosa city councilman who opposed a shopping development favored by a King ally. Further, King apparently allows electronic bingo in some areas of the state but not others. Whether their is a legal basis for this in county law, or whether this is favoritism, is still undetermined. But King is clearly at odds with Governor Bob Riley over gambling. It's hard to tell who is pulling the strings anymore.