There are reports of a stall in the investigation of possible abuse of power by Governor Sarah Palin, as a key witness says he will not testify. Special investigator Steve Branchflower received word Tuesday night that Frank Bailey, the governor's Boards and Commission director, pulled out of a deposition he was supposed to give Wednesday.

According to Bailey's attorney, Greg Grebe, this is in response to Governor Palin's request, in a legal filing, wanting the state's personnel board to review the allegations surrounding her firing of the former public safety commissioner and for the Legislative council's investigation to be suspended. With the request, challenging jurisdiction of the investigation, Grebe says this uncertainty is the reason why Bailey should wait until a decision is made.

"My job is to protect my client from becoming a political football," said Grebe. "And Mr. Bailey didn't make the decision to not being at the hearing today. In fact, he wants to go and wants to get it over with."

Grebe says, Bailey is willing to cooperate, but only wants to do this only once, the correct way. According to Senator Hollis French, who is leading the state's investigation over Palin's misuse of power, legally the Legislature still has the right to conduct an investigation and investigator Branchflower will continue to proceed in the process.

No one has been subpoenaed to testify so far, because previously all parties, including Palin and Bailey, had agreed to cooperate voluntarily.

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"The Legislator didn't give away their authority to investigate, they created another body to handle certain problems," said French. "But we didn't say, 'Our powers are now gone and we can't get it back.' We kept every bit of our constitutional authority and we still have it."

"Alaskans should be offended, that Frank Bailey is on paid leave and will not do an interview that he already committed to with Mr. Branchflower," said Representative Jay Ramras, a Republican from Fairbanks and the chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

"My intention is to call Chief of Staff Mike Nizich, who is an honorable man, and tell him he better kick Bailey in the butt and get him over here, or else he will be asking for scrutiny. We have a million people from the national media here. Alaska does not need to air its dirty laundry in a public way," said Representative Ramras.

Senator French said Bailey is represented by a separate attorney than Governor Palin and he is hoping for her continued cooperation in the investigation, despite the request to move it to the Alaska personnel board. French said he will be meeting with members of the Legislative council to decide on a response to the governor's request.

To contact Corey, call 907-273-3186.