Our view: Investigate Allen charges

Sen. Lisa Murkowski has been trying to get a good explanation for why federal prosecutors decided not to pursue a teen sex crimes case against the former Veco president, who just finished a prison sentence for his role in Alaska's political corruption scandal.

Attorney Gen. Eric Holder has assured the senator that federal prosecutors made their decision not according to any deal with Allen but according to the merits of the case. In effect, Holder is saying, "Trust us."

With all due respect, and given the track record of prosecutorial misconduct in the corruption trials, we prefer "trust, but verify."

It's not good enough to defend the decision. Explain it. And while you're at it, explain why you won't let the state of Alaska pursue the case against Allen and won't share evidence with the state. Investigators on the federal, state and local levels -- Anchorage police -- believe there was a case to be made. Why not let the state press on as federal designate? Why keep state investigators in the dark about federal evidence about Allen's activities? What's going on here?

Why does it matter? Because Allen is alleged to have paid for sex with young women, and to have transported them across state lines for sex, a violation of the federal Mann Act. Alaskans want justice done for the sake of any young women who have been so exploited -- and to make clear that we'll pursue justice in any such case to protect our children.

And Alaskans want to make clear that we will not accept any plea deal that sacrifices justice for those young women to win convictions in political corruption trials. The alleged victims are not bargaining chips in a federal case, not part of any deal.

Holder maintains there was no such deal. But in the absence of an explanation, to suspect such a deal is logical.

Murkowski has asked the Justice Department's inspector general and the Office of Professional Responsibility for an investigation. The answer should be yes and the investigation should be thorough. Or, Holder could offer a real explanation. Or, the feds could let the state take the case.

But the status quo doesn't cut it.

Bill Allen dealt in political corruption. That's an established fact. He walked away from prison last week after doing his time. But he shouldn't get to walk away from a strong sex-crimes case, not if we're serious about protecting our children.

BOTTOM LINE: Let's have either an explanation or an investigation into the Bill Allen decision.