I’ve been looking over the response filed by Thomas Van Flein, the attorney for Governor Palin, filed with the Alaska Personal Board yesterday. It seems clear to me that she had ample reason to fire her Public Safety Commissioner, Walt Monegan.
The filling makes it clear that Palin and her staff had become frustrated by Monegan’s conduct. The final straw seems to a planned trip to Washington, D.C., to seek funding for a new, multimillion-dollar sexual assault initiative the governor hadn’t yet approved.
Ed Morrissey has the complete filing and analysis at Hotair.com.
For complete background on so called Troopergate visit Floppingaces.net. MataHarley has done extensive research on the story. Her latest is here. A complete history of posts can be found here.
Update: The AP is reporting that five republican state legislator’s filed suit to stop the legistature’s investigation.
Update: Just to add to the confusion Amanda Carpenter @ Townhall.com is reporting that a group of Alaskan residents has filed suit against Stephen Branchflower… The suit alleges the investigation is unconstitutional and asks a judge to stop it.
Thanks for the Update at the bottom there, Jeffrey. Gave you a H/T at Flopping Aces, and but a brief post up for the latest and greatest.
Bottom line is two issues here… the legislative investigation will not likely be done before the Nov election with the hold ups on the subpoenas and now this lawsuit.
However the real investigation is the Personnel Board… just as it should be via Alaskan ethics law.
The second big issue is the firing of Monegan may be first on the lips of a very ill-informed, fact deficient MSM. But the larger issue at stake is Wooten’s medical records, and Bailey’s knowledge of some details. Whether they can tie that to Sarah Palin is the key… and they are sure trying.
I agree, I think it’s safe to say the legislative investigation won’t finish up before the election now. And as say the real action is in Personal Boards investigation at this point.
Outside of the media interest Monegan’s firing isn’t particularly interesting… He was an executive appointee who served at the pleasure of the Governor and who, in theory at least, could be replaced at will. As you say the real issue is Bailey and Wooten’s medical records.