Despite VP Nomination, Palin Investigation Continues

Back in late July the legislative council approved $100,000 to investigate Governor Palin's potential abuse of power.

Tools

By Corey Allen-Young
Bio

Story Created: Feb 23, 2011 at 4:51 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 23, 2011 at 4:51 PM AKDT

Original article posted Aug. 29, 2008

Governor Palin has made a big splash onto the national stage, however her state investigation here in Alaska continues. 

Back in late July the legislative council approved $100,000 to investigate Governor Palin's potential abuse of power. Since, special investigator Steve Branchflower has been working methodically to bring to light the facts of a case that have only recently surfaced.
 
"The status of the investigation is that Steve Branchflower is taking statements right now from former members of the administration, and scheduling other appointments with other members of the administration, up to, and including Governor Palin to find out the facts of what happened," said Senator Hollis French, who is in charge of the legislative investigation of Palin. 
 
Branchflower is looking into the events that led up to the firing of former public safety commissioner Walt Monegan. It is alleged that Monegan may have been fired for refusing to fire Alaska State Trooper Michael Wooten, who went through a messy divorce with Palin's sister and is currently in the midst of a custody battle.
 
Regardless of Palin's status as the vice presidential nominee, many are calling for the investigation's continuance, "There is too much information to just erase it as a mistake," said Senator Lyda Green, a Republican from Wasilla, "It needs to be followed through very diligently, very carefully." 
 
"The fact is the investigation will continue to go on regardless of governor Palin's position as the vice presidential nominee," said Andrew Halcro, who ran against Palin for governor in 2006. 
 
Even though Governor Palin is now the vice president nominee, some have questioned her nomination whilst under a cloud of suspicion. 
 
"I don't know how they would do that given the fact that Branchflower just began his investigation and there is a lot out there that is unknown," said Halcro. 
 
"We certainly don't want to see anything like this on the national level if it is found there is abuse of powers on the state level," said Green. 
 
With the governor making her way into the national spotlight, many are asking whether or not this will affect her ongoing corruption investigation. 
 
"In the middle of the investigation we don't have all the evidence, and so it's important for everyone to wait and see what comes out. The facts, not the opinion," said Senator French. 
 
French says despite Palin joining the McCain presidency ticket, its business as usual to find the truth. "Mr. Branchflower is a very methodical, meticulous careful individual, he knew it was going to be high profile, and I did too going in. It's higher profile but it certainly doesn't change the nature of the work that's going to be done, or the outcome," said French.
 
Former legislator and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Halcro has been a long-time critic of Palin, and says her problems with this investigation stem from her lack of managerial experience. "When you are a governor you are a manager, and one of my criticisms with Governor Palin is, she is not managing. And if she was managing Chuck Kopp, he would have been vetted better, and a letter of reprimand wouldn't be a surprise," said Halcro. 
 
"If they were managing, the Walt Monegan situation wouldn't occur." 
 
And as Palin hits the road campaigning for the White House, Halcro says that regardless of the cloud of suspicion under her, he has learned to never count her out.
 
"One thing I have learned campaigning against her in 2006," said Halcro, "I have a high respect for her and secondly, I've learned you never underestimate her." 
 
Senator French has made assurances that Branchflower is working hard, interviewing people and that with his contract ending on October 31st, we should have a conclusion near that time for the investigation.
 
The investigation could conclude only four days prior to the general election for the next president and vice president of the United States. 

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.