Palin trooper investigation proceeds after suit tossed

Published Friday, October 3, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An investigator hired by Alaskan lawmakers to investigate abuse-of-power allegations against Gov. Sarah Palin was free to finish his work by a deadline set for a week from today after a state judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block the investigation.

The investigation is looking into whether Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, and others pressured Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire a state trooper who was involved in a contentious divorce from Palin’s sister and then fired Monegan when he wouldn’t dismiss the trooper. Palin says Monegan was ousted over budget disagreements.

Judge Peter Michalski yesterday threw out the lawsuit filed by five Republican state legislators who claimed the investigation had been manipulated by Palin enemies who wanted to produce a damaging report just weeks before Election Day. Their attorney, Kevin Clarkson, said the legislative body that ordered the investigation had exceeded its authority.

But Michalski agreed with defense attorney Peter Maassen, who argued that the Legislature has broad authority to investigate the governor. The mere appearance of impropriety does not mean any individual’s right to fairness was violated, Michalski wrote in his decision.

At first, Palin agreed to cooperate with the probe, but since being picked Aug. 29 to be Sen. John McCain’s running mate, she, her family and staff have instead said the legislative investigation has been compromised by politics and that they would cooperate only with a separate investigation run by the Alaska State Personnel Board, whose members Palin can fire.