The investigation of Governor Sarah Palin for her potential abuse of powers has caused some within her administration to remain silent, as there are more members of the Palin administration who have joined Frank Bailey in not testifying. As the result of seven witnesses canceling their scheduled depositions with special investigator Steve Branchflower over the investigation of Governor Palin, the Legislature is taking action.

"There has been a recent series of cancellations and interviews that Mr. Branchflower had worked hard to set up. And because of those cancellations, we have now scheduled a hearing, joint House and Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for next Friday in order to consider the issue of whether subpoenas should be put

out," said Senator Hollis French, a Democrat from Anchorage who was appointed the project director by the Legislative council for the investigation.

The seven names, including Frank Bailey, are Diane Kiesel, Nicki Neal, Brad Thompson and Annette Kreitzer—who all work for the Department of Administration—and Kris Perry and Karen Rehfeld who work for the office of the governor.

"It's sort of a combination of claims that we don't have jurisdiction or that my remarks have somehow have changed the course of the investigation," said French.

Senator French is hoping to get cooperation, but says the Legislative council is prepared to issue subpoenas if necessary.

"I think it's important for us to get the truth out, clear the air, and seems to be the way we are having to do it."

French says Governor Palin will not be issued a subpoena because she is cooperating so far.

"It seemed unnecessary, given her many many statements that she wants to cooperate and is willing to cooperate, and it just seemed totally unnecessary."

As Governor Palin's investigation over her potential abuse of power continues, some state Legislators have questioned those leading the probe. The national media has been featuring interviews and comments with Senator French. And, according to Representative John Coghill from North Pole, French's statements are why he should step down. After reading several comments from French on an abcnews.com article regarding the investigation, Coghill on Friday wrote a letter to Senator Kim Elton, chairman of the Legislative council, asking the council to discuss the recent comments made, which Coghill found to be inflammatory remarks about the investigation.

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French was quoted as saying the investigation's conclusion was going to be an October surprise, and

likely to be damaging to the administration. Coghill says these are premature remarks for a report that isn't done yet. As the governor's investigation has reached global scrutiny with her being named the Republican vice presidential nominee, Coghill says Senator French's recent statements to the media have crossed the line.

"We set a motion in the Legislative council that said it was to be arms-lengths with politics; and he went out of bounds," said Coghill. "It's really about the integrity the Legislative process, it's not about the investigation at all."

According to French, he agrees he said statements he shouldn't have, but that the real point is that Investigator Branchflower is the one conducting the investigation, not him.

"The real point is he is out there gathering the facts. He is going to write the report. He is doing, independently from me, and everyone else, and it will be his report to defend when he is issuing it," said French.

The investigation could have national implications, since Palin is Senator John McCain's running mate on the Republican presidential ticket. Because of this the Legislative council is pushing to have the report released earlier than expected. Senator French also says the Legislative council is going to speed up the process of the governor's investigation, in light of her being the Republican vice presidential nominee. He says they expect to wrap up the investigation by October 10th to make sure it does not show any conflict with the general election in November.

"So the report comes out in plenty of time, so it's not released on the eve of the election. It just seems fair to everybody to get it as far away from the election as possible."

To contact Corey, call 907-273-3186.