Judge may rule today on Troopergate tangle

[maddezmom]

Source: ADN.com

Judge may rule today on Troopergate tangle
WARRING FACTIONS: AG dislikes subpoenas, and it's lawmakers vs. lawmakers.

By SEAN COCKERHAM
Published: October 2nd, 2008 12:27 AM
Last Modified: October 2nd, 2008 01:53 AM

As Gov. Sarah Palin works on last-minute preparation for tonight's vice presidential debate, an Anchorage judge today is expected to decide the fate of the Legislature's investigation into whether she abused her power.

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Peter Michalski will hear arguments this morning and likely rule on the request by five Republican state legislators to halt the Legislature's investigation into what's known as Troopergate. The legislators' lawyers plan to call to the witness stand the state senators overseeing the investigation, as well as the investigator they hired, saying in a press release "it's about time some of these rogue 'investigators' have to face the law.' "

Peter Maassen, the lawyer representing the Legislative Council, which ordered the investigation, said he doubts the judge will allow such testimony. He said the facts aren't really in dispute and the argument is over the law.

"I think the plaintiffs would like to have some political theater instead of the law, since the law isn't very good for them," Maassen said.



Read more: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/543414.html

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Ruling Expected Today on GOP Bid to Halt Trooper-Gate
By Zachary Roth - October 2, 2008, 9:21AM
A judge may rule today on the effort by five Alaska Republican lawmakers to stop the Trooper-Gate investigation, reports the Anchorage Daily News.

The lawmakers, who are being aided by a conservative law firm affiliated with James Dobson's Focus on the Family, filed suit in mid September, arguing that the probe has been "tainted" by partisan politics. In a court filing, reports the ADN, a lawyer for the legislators overseeing the investigation asserted that the GOP lawmakers are "engaged in one of the most bizarre challenges to Alaska's separation of powers doctrine in the history of the state."

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Peter Michalski may also rule on the effort by state Attorney General Talis Colberg, a Palin appointee, to have subpoenas issued to witnesses by the investigative committee thrown out. Several top Palin aides, as well as Todd Palin, have refused to comply with the subpoenas and face possible jail time.

more:http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/ruling_expected_today_on_gop_b.php

[speedoo]

1. This ruling is Palin's only hope.

If the judge does not halt the legislative investigation, Palin is finished, and so is McCain, obviously.

[Gap Spanner]

2. What would Sarah do

...if Todd gets thrown in jail? Will she quit and run home to be with her guy? Will she try to use her power as Governor to help him out?

Don't worry, Todd. Sarah can always pardon you.

[Sinistrous]

5. I hope they do not toss Todd in jail.

even if he is guilty. I can imagine the GOP spinning this as partisan persecution and trying to generate a huge wave of sympathy for "poor little Sarah".

[Javaman]

3. either the fix is in or it's not, we will find out soon. nt

[kay1864]

4. My prediction: Colberg's ass gets fried

He's as bad as Gonzales for toeing the party line. What a good little sycophant. Too bad the judge can't throw him in jail too.

Even if they manage to drag this out past Nov 4...it still looks bad when Palin's witnesses are sitting in jail, and this scandal is hanging over her head.

Heckuva pick there Johnny!

[maddezmom]

6. At the courthouse: Troopergate hearing

Posted: October 2, 2008 - 9:12 am

From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

Today's troopergate hearing is about to start. TV crews are showing up, and they're not happy to hear CNN will be the only ones allowed to bring a camera. Meantime, a man in sneakers plopped down in front of the courtroom door, hoping to start a line for when the doors actually open.

The lawyer for the legislators who are trying to stop the investigation filed a motion today saying the defense lawyer can't say he's speaking on behalf of the Legislative Council because the council hasn't met to approve his recent motion for dismissal.


http://community.adn.com/node/132138

[struggle4progress]

7. Legislators decry Troopergate suit (Juneau Empire)

Thursday, October 02, 2008
Story last updated at 10/2/2008 - 9:30 am

Legislators decry Troopergate suit
Sen. Elton's attorney responds to challenge against investigation
By Pat Forgey | JUNEAU EMPIRE

The Alaska Legislature is responding to a challenge to its authority to investigate Gov. Sarah Palin's administration, calling the effort "bizarre" ...

"This is surely one of the most bizarre challenges to Alaska's separation-of-powers doctrine in the history of the state," wrote Peter Maassen, attorney for Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, the Legislative Council, which Elton chairs, and other defendants.

The suit was brought by several Republican legislators arguing that their own branch of government does not have the authority to investigate ...

"They are asking the court to shut down a duly authorized legislative investigation in the final weeks of its life, solely to forestall a negative impact on the fortunes of one political party," Maassen said ...

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/100208/sta_339454726.shtml

[JonLP24]

8. ‘Troopergate’ Witness Insists Palin’s Office Interfered in Workers Comp Case

A former claims adjuster who worked for a company in Alaska that has a state contract to process workers compensation claims testified to an special prosecutor that Gov. Sarah Palin’s office requested that the firm deny a benefits claim filed by Palin’s ex brother-in-law in the spring of 2007.

The claims adjuster, Johanna Grasso, was interviewed by Steve Branchflower, the special prosecutor appointed in July to investigate whether Palin fired Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan because he refused to fire Palin’s former brother-in-law, Mike Wooten, an Alaska state trooper who was engaged in a bitter divorce and child custody dispute with Palin’s sister.

Earlier this month, Branchflower had spoken with Murlene Wilkes, who runs Harbor Adjustment Service, where Grasso was employed, and questioned whether she was pressured by Palin or anyone in the governor’s office to deny workers compensation claim filed by Wooten. Wilkes told Branchflower there wasn’t any pressure to reject the claim.

But then Grasso contacted a tip line set and left a message stating that she recalled that Wilkes told her Palin’s office wanted Wooten’s claim denied.
http://www.pubrecord.org/politics/366-troopergate-witness-insists-palins-office-interfered-in-workers-comp-case.html

[maddezmom]

9. Troopergate hearing, Part 2, no ruling today yet

Troopergate hearing, Part 2
Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: October 2, 2008 - 11:42 am

Comments (4) | Recommend (0)

From Bill White in the newsroom:

Today’s Troopergate hearing has ended, with the judge taking the case under advisement.

Lawyers in the case said they expect state Superior Court Judge Peter Michalski to rule today, or Friday at the latest.

The state attorney general has asked Michalski to issue a temporary restraining order to block subpoenas in the legislative investigation of whether Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power in trying to get state trooper Mike Wooten, her ex-brother-in-law, fired. Also before Michalski is a petition by five Republican state legislators to stop the Legislature’s investigation.


http://community.adn.com/adn/node/132147

[dipsydoodle]

10. Judge has halted the trial

WASHINGTON (Oct. 2) - A federal judge angrily halted the corruption trial of Sen. Ted Stevens on Thursday after the Alaska lawmaker's attorney accused prosecutors of withholding evidence that would help their case.
U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan sent the jury home for the day so he could consider arguments about whether to declare a mistrial. http://news.aol.com/article/judge-halts-trial-of-indicted-senator/183061

and here too : His Senate seat is up for grabs in November's election and polls suggest he is facing a tough battle against his Democratic challenger, Mark Begich, if he is to secure an eighth term.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7649168.stm

[Blaze Diem]

11. Please keep us posted.

Update ASAP.
Thanks