By- Suzie-Q @ 5:00 PM MST
Palin husband among 13 subpoenad in Troopergate probe
Raw Story- Mike Sheehan
Published: Friday September 12, 2008
The husband of GOP vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin is among 13 witnesses subpoenad by Alaska lawmakers, the Associated Press reports.
The subpoenas are “part of the investigation into whether the Republican vice presidential candidate abused her power in trying to get her former brother-in-law fired,” writes Gene Johnson for the AP.
Johnson quotes retired prosecutor Stephen Branchflower saying of Todd Palin: “He’s such a central figure. … I think one should be issued for him.”
He adds that Branchflower “said he wants to interview Palin herself, but did not ask for a subpoena for her.”
Rhonda Schwartz and Justin Rood at ABC News’ “Blotter” blog described the proceedings that led to the subpoenas:
In a nondescript conference room filled to capacity, a Republican-dominated panel of lawmakers voted to issue subpoenas to force testimony by Alaska ‘First Gentleman’ Todd Palin and a dozen current and former state officials, including aides to Gov. Palin, to determine whether she had misused her authority in firing one of her commissioners in July.
The so-called “Troopergate” probe, write Schwartz and Rood, “was prompted by Palin’s July 11 firing of her former public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, after he refused to dismiss Mike Wooten, a state trooper who was Palin’s ex-brother-in-law.
“Wooten and Palin’s sister had gone through a lengthy and bitter divorce and custody battle in 2005, during which Palin herself had accused Wooten of threatening her and her father,” they continue, adding that Wooten has denied the accusations.
Hmm…Sounds like some real power tripping goin on there.
No wonder Barbie carries a gun, she doesn’t have a mercenary army…yet… 😉
Hey don’t mess with Taliban Barbie!!! She’s going to try and claim Executive Privilege even though First DUDE isn’t actually an Alaskan elected official.
Are they born corrupt? Or is it just the party?
Good question Basheert! Maybe both? Perhaps they were born corrupt in that party??
Excellent point! Todd Palin is not a govt employee… so Executive Privilege is not an option for him..
Here are the other individuals who were authorized to receive a subpoena:
Frank Bailey – Director of Boards & Commissions. His call to troopers pressuring about Wooten was taped.
Diane Kiesel – Palin’s Personnel Director
Annette Kreitzer – Administration Commissioner
Nicki Neal – State Personnel & Labor Relations Director
Brad Thompson – State Risk Management Director
Mike Nizich – Former Deputy Chief of Staff, now Chief of Staff as of 8/28/08
Don Bitney – You tell me…. Could this be John Bitney, Palin aide that got sacked for having an affair with Palin’s married friend?
Ivy Frye – Special assistant to Sarah Palin
Kris Perry – Palin confidante who managed her gubernatorial campaign and now manages the Anchorage office
Janice Mason – Palin’s scheduler
Todd Palin – First dude, and private citizen
Randy Ruaro – Former special assistant to the governor, now Deputy Chief of Staff, promoted 9/1/08
Murlene Wilkes – Insurance adjuster handling a worker’s comp claim filed by Trooper Mike Wooten.
***Mike Tibbles, former Palin Chief of Staff was NOT subpoenaed despite the urging of Branchflower to authorize it.
State Senate President Lyda Green now must authorize them before they are issued. Yes, she’s the one that was mocked and derided on a local radio show while Palin giggled.