SocraticGadfly: Palin not off Troopergate hook

October 14, 2008

Palin not off Troopergate hook

Personnel board will not be a free ride

And, why won’t Palin get a free ride from the board to whom she reported herself in an attempt to downplay the state legislative board? In two words, Timothy Petumenos.

He’s the investigative lawyer the State Personnel Board has hired. He’s a known Democrat who contributed to Tony Knowles’ campaign two years ago.
“We took a gamble when we went to the personnel board,” said a McCain aide who asked not to be identified discussing strategy. While the McCain camp still insists Palin “has nothing to hide,” it acknowledges a critical finding by Petumenos would be even harder to dismiss.

The Anchorage Daily News has more.
Two other ethics complaints involving Palin are known. One, by activist Andree McLeod, alleges that state hiring practices were circumvented for a Palin supporter. The case is not related to Monegan's firing. The other, by the Public Safety Employees Association, alleges that trooper Mike Wooten's personnel file was illegally breached by state officials.

Petumenos has requested a copy of last week’s legislative report, including confidential backup material. The legislative committee will decide Thursday what to give him.

That said, there’s no telling what the timetable is on the personnel board’s process, and no guarantee its findings will become public.

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