Five Alaska Republican state legislators filed suit Tuesday in state Superior Court to halt an investigation of Governor Sarah Palin's firing of the state's public safety commissioner, claiming the probe has become muddled by partisan politics.
The 26-page suit alleges that state Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat overseeing the legislative investigation of Palin, has expanded the probe beyond what was initially agreed to by lawmakers and has made prejudicial statements. Republican lawmakers allege that French and others leading the investigation have "lost the appearance of impartiality required under the Alaska Constitution," according to a statement released by Kevin Clarkson, an Anchorage lawyer representing the five Republicans.
"Under Sen. French's control, the investigation has taken on a 'McCarthyistic' tenor, using tactics that violate fundamental principles of due process and that also violate legislative process," according to the suit.
Alaska lawmakers are investigating Palin in the July 11 firing of Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, who said he resisted pressure to dismiss state trooper Mike Wooten. The trooper was involved in a contentious divorce and custody battle with the governor's sister.
Yesterday, a McCain-Palin campaign spokeswoman told reporters that Palin would not cooperate with the investigation and that the matter is better suited to be reviewed by the state's Personnel Board, which oversee state employee ethics complaints.