In an interview Friday, Parnell said the advice he received in hiring the former lawmaker last summer was the same legal advice that's been given for decades. He said he acted in good faith and is standing on that legal precedent and practice, which he said allows for hiring if the position was created after the legislator left office.
Therriault's hiring last year drew renewed scrutiny this month when Attorney General Dan Sullivan acknowledged shortcomings in the legal analysis and advice his department gave Parnell this spring on hiring another former lawmaker, Nancy Dahlstrom, for a newly created position as military affairs adviser. Dahlstrom resigned.
Lawmakers are barred from taking posts created when they were in office. She and Therriault resigned their seats before taking the new jobs.
Ralph Samuels, a Republican challenging Parnell in next month's gubernatorial primary election, has called on Parnell to seek Therriault's resignation. He said he sees no difference between Therriault and Dahlstrom.
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