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GOP Suit To Halt Trooper-Gate Probe Dismissed
An Alaska judge dismissed a suit brought by state GOP legislators that aimed to stop the Trooper-Gate investigation.
Superior Court Judge Peter Michalski wrote in his decision that "it is legitimately within the scope of the legislature's investigatory power to inquire into the circumstances of surrounding the termination of a public officer the legislature had previously confirmed."
The Republican lawmakers had argued that the probe had been inappropriately politicized by the Democrats overseeing it, and that the legislature did not have the authority to pursue the investigation.
According to Peter Maassen, an attorney representing the Democratic lawmakers who were named as defendants in the case, lawyers for the plaintiffs appeared to be creating a transcript of the proceedings, suggesting an intention to be appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.
But for now at least, the probe can continue. Independent investigator Steve Branchflower is scheduled to deliver a report on his findings around October 11.
Josh
Zachary
DeLay, DeLay, DeLay...
October 2, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good News about Sarah! After having played us for a fool all week with the Katie Couric farce we need to hear how Sarah operates off-camera.
She is a liar and she needs to be stopped now.
October 2, 2008 11:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Congratulations Alaskans!
October 3, 2008 12:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hooray for judicial independence. How come Gwen Ifell didn't ask Palin about this?
October 3, 2008 2:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Because doncha know, asking a candidate about her ongoing legal troubles would have been BIASED! and UNFAIR!
I have respect for Ifill, but if there was one person who failed to live up to 'expectations' last night, it was her.
October 3, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't worry, come October 11, the questions will be coming from all sides. Expect another Palin/McCain media blackout.
October 3, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
You've got the wrong court documents linked from this story. Instead of Judge Michalski's ruling, you've got paperwork from Stevens' trial in DC. Please fix!
Thanks for the congrats! Plenty happy here in Alaska happy about the ruling, as you can see in the reader comments to the Anchorage Daily News story about it.
October 3, 2008 3:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hoorah!!!
October 3, 2008 8:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
But you forgot to mention that the Judge also denied AG Colberg's motion to quash the witness subpoenas. Since Todd Palin was one of the witnesses', will he now comply?
Equally interesting was Colberg saying that he now had to speak to his "clients" (ie the witnesses) before making any decisions. Uh, I was under the impression that Colberg's client was the state of Alaska?
October 3, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
THIS
October 3, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
IS
October 3, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
EXCELLENT
October 3, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
NEWS
October 3, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
FOR
October 3, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCAIN!!!
October 3, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg said he didn't know whether he'd appeal or if he'll now advise the subpoenaed state officals to cooperate with the investigation. He said he needed to consult with them.
'I'm going to talk to the clients before I talk to you,' he said."
Clients???? So, Gov. Sarah Palin is Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg's "client"?? Sounds like he took the same constitutional class as Gonzo did!! Clients????
What has become of this country?
October 3, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
The law suit was brought by a legal team from Texas. It is the legal arm of Dobson's "Institute for the Family."
Bad day for the McCain camp and the fundies today.
awwwww
October 3, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
TPMMuckraker is still showing a decision in Stevens' trial rather than the ruling made by Judge Michalski. However, I found it on the Alaska Court System's website: here it is.
October 3, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting that the folks wanting this squashed state that it's disclosure would HARM Palin. This would be an excellent time to bring this up in talking points. If it would do such harm, it must have some pretty negative info on Palin. If the Republicans believe do much in her, why are they attempting to keep this info out of the voter's sight until after the election.. Don't the voters have a right to see public information... or is this all just McCain Palin "Clean up Washington" jargon?
October 4, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
The paperwork to challenge the ruling was filed today . . .
I hope that the case is heard on October 12th and that is still dismassed for lack o' merrits.
October 4, 2008 7:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is the McCain campaign paying any of the legal fees for the GOP in Alaska or for Palin - If so this is coming from taxpayers as he took the federal money. Same with all his negative ads - All paid for by taxpayers who checked that little box on the 1040.
October 4, 2008 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans will do or say anything to get McCain and Palin in the White House come November. And it will happen with the help of the CORPORATE CONTROLED MEDIA. Here is just one EXAMP., all you heard about for three days morning noon and night was EDWARDS and his little love affair. Now with Palin and her affair with her husbins PARTNER ALL IS QUITE ON the CORPORATE CONTROLED MEDIA not a word about Palins Affair. I would like to hear more about her and the OFFICE SWILVEL CHAIR. There is more about Palin that CCM will not say a word about. Wake up DEMOCRATIC people there is plenty of this slime to through on the REPUBLICANS that they will never wash OFF. I am all for the mudd flining to begin. CNN(FOXE'S station) is agood place to begin with WOLF-E boy and GLINN BECK. One last the WINK, whin I was in the Army my last THREE months was served at FT. DETRICK Md. , great duity after being over seas for a year in Viet_Nam, the point is the WINK reminded me of the STRIPPERS down on the BLOCK in BALTIMORE, ALL the strip bars were in one place called the BLOCK, the WINK reminded me of those STRIPERS. Icould say more but I will wate for another time.
October 5, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Todd Palin has agreed to comply with the subpoenas. However it appears he has offered the 3rd week of October to do the testimony. I assume this is intended to push the findings out beyond Oct 10th as it might seem weird to release findings in advance of interviewing a key witness.
I have not seen any justification for why Mr. Palin cannot be deposed before the late October date. However, the news just broke last night so for all I know there is a more legitimate reason than my "Republicans are evil" theory.
October 5, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have never seen such hatred before in my life. Politics is not for the weak. But really. Some people are going to need anger management when this is done. CHILL OUT.
How can you even trust ANYONE anymore in the government?
October 5, 2008 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin's lawyer team appealed this ruling and the AK Supreme Court will hear it on Wednesday and rule on Thursday, a day before the report is scheduled to be released. Todd Palin will not testify to the legislative board for the supoena. The 7 staff members will however. Todd Palin said he will be interviewed for the parallel investigation run by those who Palin has the ability to fire, i.e. a friendly partisan group.
http://www.adn.com/troopergate/story/546971.html
October 6, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink