Alaska Lawmakers Demand Testimony by Palin's Husband, Aides

By Tony Hopfinger

Sept. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Alaska lawmakers issued subpoenas to the husband of Governor Sarah Palin and her aides who have refused to cooperate in a probe of whether she improperly fired the head of the state police.

The Alaska State Senate Judiciary Committee, meeting in Anchorage, voted 3-2 to demand the testimony.

The investigation was thrust into the national spotlight after Republican presidential nominee John McCain picked Palin as his vice presidential running mate. The Alaska lawmakers are trying to conclude the probe by Oct. 10, less than a month before the Nov. 4 presidential election between McCain and Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

The Palin administration in Alaska is considering steps to quash today's subpoenas and delay the investigation. Senior Assistant Attorney General Michael Barnhill sent a letter to the lawmakers this week suggesting the investigation is biased and should be halted.

The lawmakers are investigating Palin in the July 11 firing of Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, who said he resisted pressure to dismiss state trooper Mike Wooten. The trooper was involved in a contentious divorce from the governor's sister.

The Legislature also wants to know if any Palin aides violated Wooten's privacy rights by illegally reviewing his personnel files.

Monegan told the Anchorage Daily News that pressure to oust Wooten came from Palin, her husband, Todd, and some of her aides. Palin has denied exerting any pressure on Monegan and says she dismissed Monegan to take the department in a new direction.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tony Hopfinger in Anchorage at thopfinger@gci.net

Last Updated: September 12, 2008 15:33 EDT

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