Palin's husband subpoenaed in 'Troopergate' probe
Yahoo News/AFP
September 12, 2008

JUNEAU, Alaska (AFP) - Alaska lawmakers on Friday subpoenaed the husband of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in a politically explosive abuse-of-power probe.

The Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-3 to subpoena Todd Palin in the legislative investigation into whether his wife, who is Alaska's governor, improperly attempted to fire a state trooper who was her former brother-in-law.

The committee also subpoenaed Palin's chief of staff and deputy chief of staff.

The panel had agreed beforehand however that a subpoena of Sarah Palin herself would not be considered with the understanding she would agree to an interview by the investigator, retired prosecutor Stephen Branchflower.

Under the legislature's rules, the subpoenas must be approved by Senate President Lyda Green.

Green, like Palin, is a Republican from Wasilla, Alaska, but is a long-time political foe of the governor so is not expected to kill the subpoenas.

The case could cast a shadow over Palin, who has electrified party nominee John McCain's campaign and cut his polling deficit with Democrat Barack Obama since he shocked the political world by picking her two weeks ago.

On Monday, Alaska Democratic state senator Kim Elton, chairman of the state legislative council, rejected a call by Republicans to replace the Democrat who is overseeing the investigation.

The move kept the investigation into Palin's July 11 firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan on track with a final report due to be completed by October 10 -- three weeks before the November 4 election.

It is still unclear what Alaska's Legislative Council will do with the report, and when it might be released publicly.

Monegan has alleged that he was removed because of his resistance to pressure to dismiss Alaska state trooper Mike Wooten, the ex-husband of Palin's sister Molly McCann.

Palin rejected the charge, but the legislature launched an investigation in late July, well before Palin was chosen by McCain.

At the time, Palin said she and her staff would cooperate fully with the probe.

But since she was made the Republican vice presidential nominee seven Alaskan agency heads and members of Palin's executive staff have canceled or refused to voluntarily schedule interviews with the investigator.

Original Text